Cameroon Stadium Stampede Kills Eight

Eight people were killed after a stampede broke out during an Africa Cup of Nations match in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé, officials say.

The crash happened as a crowd tried to enter Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé to watch a Round of 16 match between Cameroon and Comoros.

Six people died at the stadium while two others passed on later in hospital, Cameroon state television reported on Monday night.

The match continued despite the deaths, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which organizes the Africa Cup of Nations, releasing a statement after the match saying they were aware of the incident.

“CAF is currently investigating the situation in order to obtain more details about these incidents. We are in constant communication with the Cameroonian authorities and the local organizing committee,” a CAF spokesperson said in a statement.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Tonight, the CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe sent the General Secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba to visit the supporters in hospital in Yaoundé.”[/perfectpullquote]

Several barricades and gates were reported to have collapsed on some of spectators as they tried to squeeze themselves into the stadium.

Cameron won the game, 2-1, to advance to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.

Football matches in Africa have a history of stampedes and deaths, often caused by overcrowded stadiums.