Sports
Two killed, 17 injured in stampede at South African stadium
At least two people were killed and 17 others injured in a stampede at South Africa’s stadium during a match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg.
Orlando Pirates said the crush happened when people attempted to push their way through the gates into the 87,000-capacity FNB stadium.
Orlando Pirates tweeted via their official handle: “@blacklabelsa CUP STATEMENT: We are saddened by the fatalities this afternoon due to a number of people attempting to push through the gates.”
Authorities allowed the pre-season cup game to continue. And according to reports, the live television coverage of the match showed no obvious disturbance as Kaiser Chiefs went on to win 1-0.
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Public safety official Michael Sun said on Twitter: “Situation report from FNB Soweto Derby: Stampede reported with multiple injuries, 2 confirmed fatal.”
“Soweto Derby update 2: All gates opened to ensure crowd control, game set to continue, ambulance capacity increased. Situation under control.”
The stadium served as the venue for Nelson Mandela’s first speech after his release from prison in 1990, and was rebuilt for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which would later host the final between Spain and the Netherlands.
In April 2001, 43 supporters died in a stampede during another match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.
And 10 years before that, 42 people had died in another stampede between the same two teams at the Oppenheimer Stadium in the city of Orkney.
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