Africa Cup of Nations: Apparently deaths due to mass panic in host Cameroon's round of 16

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Fans in the Yaoundé stadium: Before the game, there was mass panic at the entrance

Photo: MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY / REUTERS

According to media reports, several people were killed and many injured in a stampede during the Africa Cup of Nations game between hosts Cameroon and Comoros.

At least six people were killed, the AP news agency reported, citing regional governor Naseri Paul Biya, but there may have been more deaths.

At least 40 people were injured and some are in serious condition.

The panic in the run-up to the round of 16 between the hosts and the Comoros at the Stade d'Olembé in the capital Yaoundé is said to have been triggered by problems getting into the stadium, reports AP.

According to the information, 50,000 people tried to watch the game.

60,000 visitors fit into the stadium, but due to the corona measures only 80 percent of the seats (48,000) were allowed to be filled.

Cameroon's game against Comoros (2-1) started at 20:00 CET;

initially there was no information about incidents, only after the game was the stampede confirmed.

Cameroon is through the victory in the quarterfinals.

The game was eagerly awaited beyond Africa because the Comoros sensationally made it into the round of 16 in their first Africa Cup participation and were not only considered blatant outsiders after several corona cases.

With all three regular goalkeepers out against Cameroon, left-back Chaker Alhadhur was between the posts and shot clean.

hba/AP/dpa