February 13 – At least 17 people were killed in a stampede at a football stadium in the northern Angolan city of Uige after crowds blocked the entrances to the stadium for a league match between Santa Rita de Cassia and Recreativo do Libolo.
Hundreds of people, reportedly with tickets, were trying to enter the already overcrowded 8,000 capacity stadium. As they pushed to get through the gates many of those at the front fell, became trapped and suffocated in the crush.
“Some people had to walk on top of other people. There were 76 casualties, of whom 17 died,” Ernesto Luis, director general of the local hospital, told Reuters. Five of the injured were in serious condition. Several children died in the disaster.
Pedro Nzolonzi, the president of the Santa Rita de Cassia club, said: “It is all the fault of the police. It was easy to avoid. They just need to extend the safety cordon.
“There was serious police error in letting the people so close to the field … Many of them did not want to pay and those who had tickets could not get in. Then, the confusion began.”
The Recreativo do Libolo club said in a statement: “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.”
Angola’s President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has ordered an investigation into the incident.
The game ended in a 0-1 defeat for the home side, Santa Rita de Cassia.
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