Angola Probes Football Stampede That Killed 17
Local Editor
Angola Saturday announced an investigation into a stadium stampede that killed at least 17 and injured scores in what was described as the southern African country's worst football tragedy.
The government set up a commission to probe Friday's crush in the northern town of Uige, the national Angop news agency reported, with children among the victims.
Another body will be set up to help the families of the victims and assist in organizing funerals after tragedy struck the domestic league match between host team Santa Rita de Cassia and Recreativo de Libolo on the opening day of the season.
"Several children have been killed," police spokesman Orlando Bernardo told AFP.
"There was a blockage at the entrance to the January 4 stadium," he said. "This obstruction caused multiple fatalities -- 17 deaths, and there are 56 injured in the hospital."
Police said hundreds of fans had tried to enter the already packed stadium to see the match, causing a crush that pushed some people to the ground.
Many of the dead were trampled to death or suffocated.
"While the players were on the field, outside fans were trying to get into the stadium and a gate probably gave way to the pressure of the crowd causing several people to fall who were literally trampled on by the crowd," the Recreativo de Libolo club said in a statement on its website.
The club called it "a tragedy without precedent in the history of Angolan football".
Some witnesses said many fans did not have tickets to the match.
Sergio Traguil, the host side's coach, told the Diario de Noticias newspaper: "Nobody inside the stadium was aware of what was happening outside."
Images shown on Angolan television backed up the claim, showing thousands of spectators sitting around the pitch in a stadium with no stands.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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