Africa Cup of Nations: Deadly crush reported at Cameroon stadium

YAOUNDE: JAN. 25 – Six people are reported to have been killed and dozens hurt in a crush outside a stadium hosting an Africa Cup of Nations match in Cameroon.

Video footage showed football fans struggling to get access to the Paul Biya stadium in a neighbourhood of the capital Yaounde.

Naseri Paul Biya, governor of Cameroon’s central region, said there may be more casualties, AP News said. Another report said a number of children had lost consciousness.

The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but because of Covid restrictions, it was not meant to be more than 80% full. Match officials were quoted as saying that some 50,000 people were trying to attend.

A crush at the entrance to the stadium caused “half a dozen deaths and dozens have been injured”, reported state broadcaster CRTV.

Six people are reported to have been killed and dozens hurt in a crush outside a stadium hosting an Africa Cup of Nations match in Cameroon.

Video footage showed football fans struggling to get access to the Paul Biya stadium in a neighbourhood of the capital Yaounde. pic.twitter.com/a6WLbFZORj

— Charles Ayitey (@CharlesAyitey_) January 24, 2022

Nick Cavell, a producer for BBC Africa, was at the match and said that news of the crush did not seem to filter through to the crowd until there were reports on social media.

Lots of discarded shoes and other debris was strewn around the entrance of the stadium, he said. Nurse Olinga Prudence told AP that some of the injured were in a “desperate condition”.

The Confederation of African Football, CAF said in a statement that it is “currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired”.

The last 16 matches between Cameroon and Comoros took place despite the incident and ended with a 2-1 win for the hosts.

-BBC