Not less than six people have been reported dead after a stampede outside the Olembe Stadium during the Round of 16 game between hosts Cameroon and Comoros.
According to the Associated Press, Naseri Paul Biya, governor of the Central Region of Cameroon revealed the casualties could be more than reported at the moment with the total number of persons affected still yet to be officially stated.
The stampede was a result of fans trying to struggle to get into the Olembe Stadium to see the Indomitable Lions play the Coelequanths. Messassi Hospital, which is near the stadium has said they’ve received at least forty people with various degrees of injuries.
Some of the received persons are in critical conditions and may need to be transferred to specialised facilities.
Officials in Cameroon said some fans had insisted on getting into the stadium, which was set to receive not more than 48,000 spectators, 80% of the 60,000 seats the stadium holds. More than 50,000 fans had tried to attend the match; a figure which was beyond the approved capacity as a result of COVID-19.
