London: At least 12 people were crushed to death and 85 injured in a stampede at a stadium in Madagascar.
The tragedy occurred when sports fans attending the opening ceremony of Indian Ocean Island Games were trying to enter Mahamasina Stadium in Antananarivo, the capital city of the East African island nation.
Prime Minister Christian Ntsay’s office issued a statement offering condolences and promising that the government will transfer the victims’ bodies to their families and pay for the medical treatment of the injured.
Despite the mishap, the opening ceremony went ahead.
President Andry Rajoelina, who was guest of honour, asked the crowd at Mahamasina Stadium to observe a minute’s silence.
This is not the first time that Mahamasina Stadium has seen a deadly stampede.
The stadium, with a capacity of around 41,000 people, was staging a qualifying game for African Cup of Nations between hosts Madagascar and Senegal in 2018 when one person died and 37 were injured in a stampede before kick-off.
In 2019, at least 15 people lost their lives in a stampede during a concert at the stadium.
The Indian Ocean Island Games is a multi-sports event which brings together athletes from Madagascar, Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion and Seychelles.
The current edition, which will run till September 3, was originally due to be held in the Maldives. But they pulled out, and Madagascar agreed to host the Games.
