Death toll in the collision that occurred as spectators tried to gain access to the Olembe Stadium in the capital Yaounde to watch the Cameroon vs Comoros game in the Africa Cup of Nations round 16 ties.
Number of casualties has raise to eight (8) as investigation is ongoing to know exactly what happened at the Olembe stadium in the AFCON round 16 ties between Cameroon and Comoros.
A local government spokesman said at least six people died tragically, while Naseri Paul Biya, governor of Cameroon’s central region, said there could be more deaths.
That number rose to eight on Tuesday morning (CA time).
“Eight deaths were reported, two women in their 30s, four men in their 30s, one child and one corpse taken from the family,” said the Ministry of Health’s initial report.
The crowd reportedly tried to enter through the south entrance of the Olembe Stadium. Although the stadium’s capacity of 60,000 is limited due to coronavirus concerns, the limit will be raised from 60 percent to 80 percent when the Cameroon Indomitable Lions play.
Officials at a nearby hospital in Messassi said they received at least 40 injured people who were taken to hospital by police and civilians.
“Some of the injured are in desperate condition,” said Olinga Prudence, a nurse. “We had to evacuate them to a special hospital.
State news earlier said that “half a dozen were killed and dozens injured,” but there was no further information from the ministry on the number of hospitalizations.
A statement from the African Football Association later confirmed the tragic news from Olembe Stadium as CAF representatives at the hospital along with local Cameroonian officials assessed the situation.
CAF is aware of an incident that occurred tonight, January 24, 2022, during the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations match between hosts Cameroon and Comoros at the Olembe Stadium.
“CAF is currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what happened. We are in constant contact with the Cameroonian government and local organizing committee.
“Tonight, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba visits supporters at Yaounde hospital.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Africa Cup of Nations Organizing Committee, Abel Mbenge, told AFP: “There are bruising, which can occur if there is a collision. We are waiting for reliable information on the toll from this tragic incident.”
Cameroon is hosting the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 50 years. The Central African nation hosted the tournament in 2019, but the event was withdrawn and handed over to Egypt that year due to serious concerns about Cameroon’s preparations, especially the readiness of its stadium.
The Olembe Stadium was one of the places being watched but is now the main stadium for the month-long tournament and will host three more matches including the final on 6 February 2022.
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