Madagascar: At Least 13 Killed in Stampede at Indian Ocean Games

At least 13 people (including 7 minors) died, and a hundred others were injured after a crush of sports fans trying to enter the national stadium of Madagascar for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games.

Malagasy Prime Minister Christian Ntsay told reporters in Antananarivo that 11 injured are in critical condition at a local hospital.

The cause of the stampede remains unclear at this time.

The stadium, designed for around 41,000 attendees, has previously experienced deadly crash incidents.

In 2018, a crush occurred before an African Cup of Nations soccer qualifier between Madagascar and Senegal, resulting in one death and at least 37 injuries.

The Indian Ocean Island Games, a multi-sports event involving regional nations, sees participation from Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, and Seychelles, alongside Madagascar.

The Mauritian Delegation is reportedly safe at their respective hotels in Tana. It left the Opening Ceremony early to avoid the crowd at the end of the ceremony.

Source: Defi Media