Officials in Madagascar have confirmed the death of at least 15 people during independence day celebrations.
Those killed, crushed to their death at a stadium in the country’s, Antananarivo.
According to officials the crush occurred while people who came to the stadium were rushing out.
The doors to the venue had been closed by the police before an ongoing parade ended.
AFP reports that the stadium gates were opened for spectators to leave after the parade but were shut again immediately resulting in the crush.
There are reports of several other sustaining injuries in the disaster.
The country’s President Andry Rajoelina has visited victims in hospital. He promised that the state will take care of the medical costs of those injured.
Thousands had gathered at the stadium for the military parade and a concert.
One victim was quoted as saying that “When the organisers opened the gate, we were in the front row, in the queue.”
The said victim, Jean Claude Etienne Rakotoarimanana, added that “Suddenly people ran to get in front of us. They shoved us, some even punched us and pulled us.”
Last year one person was killed during a football match at the same stadium with more than 30 sustaining injuries.
Source: Africafeeds.com
