Cameroonian President Paul Biya has ordered an investigation to be carried out after the stampede that killed eight people on Monday evening in Yaoundé at the entrance to a stadium hosting the Cameroon-Comoros Cup of Nations last 16. Nations (CAN) of football, announced, Tuesday January 25, the government.
Thirty-eight people were also injured in the tragedy, including seven seriously, detailed in a press release the Minister of Communication René Emmanuel Sadi.
“The Head of State ordered the opening of an investigation so that all the light is shed on this tragic incident”continues the minister whose government “call one more time” Cameroonians “the sense of responsibility, discipline and good citizenship of all for the total success of this great sporting festival”.
Baby trampled by the crowd
Overnight, the health ministry announced that two women and a child were among those who died. The stampede occurred at the southern entrance of Olembé Stadium, the country’s brand new and largest stadium, in the Cameroonian capital. The victims were “immediately transported” in ambulances but “heavy road traffic has slowed down transport”said the ministry.
A baby was also trampled by the crowd, still outside the stadium, when the health pass was checked, according to the Ministry of Health. The baby, “immediately extirpated and taken to the general hospital of Yaoundé”is in a state “medically stable”.
Cameroon has been hosting the queen competition of African football since January 9 and until February 6 in the stadiums of five cities. The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the organizer of the tournament with Cameroon, also assured that it was investigating “on the situation in order to obtain more details on these incidents” and will hold a ” crisis meeting “ Tuesday morning with the CAN organizing committee.
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