Dakar (July 16, 2017): At least eight people have been killed during a Senegal football league final in Dakar in a stampede that broke out following clashes at the end of the match.
Police fired tear gas at clashing supporters from both teams who were throwing projectiles, and panic spread in the stadium leading to a stampede.
A wall collapsed at Demba Diop stadium as people attempted to leave after the game between local teams Ouakam and Stade de Mbour.
Sports minister Matar Ba said a young girl was among the dead, while around 60 injured fans had been taken to health facilities in Dakar. He vowed “strong measures so that such an event will never be repeated in Senegal”.
At 2-1 during extra time, US Ouakam supporters began throwing stones at Stade de Mbour fans, causing spectators to begin vacating their seats in a rush. Part of a wall supporting bleachers seating fans from both sides then collapsed as police start firing tear gas.
“All of a sudden, the wall fell. We knew some of our own had lost their lives because the wall fell directly onto people,” an eyewitness said.
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