An Africa Cup of Nation match turned chaotic resulting in the death of at least eight people per reports. Several individuals also got injured as thousands of fans tried to gain access to the football game.
In a report from BBC.com, screaming fans being crushed at an entry gate to the Paul Biya stadium in the capital Yaoundé was captured on video. The incident reportedly left at least 8 individuals dead, two of them children aged 14 and 8.
According to regional governor Naseri Paul Biya, there could be more casualties as hospitals in the area reported at least 40 individuals injured from the stampede, Sky News reported.
"Some of the injured are in desperate condition," Olinga Prudence, a nurse, said. "We will have to evacuate them to a specialized hospital."
According to officials, about 50,000 people tried to watch the match. The stadium could only accommodate 60,000 but given the current pandemic conditions, the venue was only allowed to accommodate only 80% for the full game.
Regardless of the restrictions in place, it appears fans defied this and wanted to make sure that they could watch the Africa of Nations football game. Some climbed fences rushing past checkpoints and trampling on unconscious supporters.
Other people were trying to resuscitate fellow fans. It was a chaotic scene with most trying to enter the grounds through a single open gate.
"It was hectic - people running, people climbing fences, people breaking through the barricades," Danish journalist Buster Emil Kirchner said to BBC.
As a result of the unfortunate incident, Cameroonian President Paul Biya ordered an investigation into the "tragic incident". The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has also launched its investigation.
"We are in constant communication with Cameroon government and the local organising committee," the Confederation of African Football said of the incident that happened at the Olembe Stadium.
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