22 killed in stadium crush at World Cup qualifier

At LEAST 22 people were killed in a stadium crush during a World Cup qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi in Abidjan yesterday.

The Ivorian Football Federation and the ministry of sport have also confirmed the number of deaths. The stampede occurred when thousands of fans tried to squeeze into the stadium.

A wall collapsed causing supporters already trying to squeeze into the stadium to panic.

About 36,000 spectators were in the stadium at the time, where hosts Ivory Coast beat Malawi 5-0.

Stampedes are common at Africa’s crowded stadiums, especially at events that touch national pride, such as the World Cup qualifying matches.

Badly-equipped security forces are far outnumbered and are often unable to control the crowds.

The tragedy followed similar incidents which have marred international matches in Africa in the last decade, including two separate ones in Zambia and the death of 13 people in Zimbabwe nine years ago.

FIFA instigated a program of stadium inspections across Africa before the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium was passed as safe for international matches.