KENYA: Premier league chief doctor accuses football fans of causing stampede that claimed nine lives

Record ID: 361578

  • Title: KENYA: Premier league chief doctor accuses football fans of causing stampede that claimed nine lives
  • Date: 24th October 2010
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (OCTOBER 23, 2010) (REUTERS) ESTABLISHMENT OF KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL WIDE OF RECEPTION AREA, INJURED MAN ON STRETCHER IN FOREGROUND VARIOUS OF DOCTOR PUTTING DRIP ON PATIENT CLOSE-UP OF DOCTORS HANDS MORE OF INJURED IN BEDS MAN SEATED ON BED GRIMACING IN PAIN (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF DOCTOR, KENYA PREMIER LEAGUE, ANDREW SULE, SAYING: "There wa
  • Embargoed: 8th November 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA30KI6W357GS62XBGZXY2EHNXQ
  • Story Text: Soccer fans swarmed local hospitals trying to know the fate of their loved ones who were either injured or missing during a stampede that killed nine fans before two of Kenya's well supported teams game was just about to start on Saturday (October 23).
    The stampede took place inside and outside the Nyayo National stadium in the capital Nairobi during a match between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia.
    A metal fence prevented the crowd trouble spilling over onto the pitch.
    Fans started pushing there way into the stadium when it started raining and accused the officials of going back on a promise they made to them to open four gates - only opening two.
    At the hospital, Kenya premier league chief doctor Andrew Sule claimed rowdy fans took advantage of the rain and tried to force the gates open and in the process a stampede occurred.
    "There was a match between Gor and AFC which was scheduled to take place at 7pm. People came quite early but the rain started just around 6, that forced people to rush to the main stand for shelter. Then there was a number of people still waiting outside to come in, so in the process they broke the gate and forced themselves inside. So in the process they stepped over several other fans, as we are talking we have actually confirmed 6 dead- one lady and five gentlemen," said Kenya premier league chief doctor, Andrew Sule.
    At least 30 people were wounded in the crush, 14 of them critically.
    Medics were busy treating those who were taken to the hospital by ambulances while relatives and friends mingled around talking in low tone.
    Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga visited the injured and ordered immediate investigations to what may have caused the stamped.
    "We are ordering immediately an investigation by the police and also the officials who are in charge of organization of football - the Ministry for Sports; to carry out thorough investigations to get to know exactly what caused this incidence," said Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
    The match was temporarily halted then match officials ordered the match to resume after the field was cleared.
    Gor Mahia football club went on to win the match 1-0.
    It's the second time a stampede has taken place at the venue. A fan was killed when Kenya played an Africa cup of Nations qualifier with Morocco in 2005.
    The stadium was banned from any international matches by world football governing body FIFA.
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