Tragic Incident Unfolds in Madagascar: Stadium Stampede Claims Lives of 13 Individuals, Including Seven Children
A devastating incident occurred on Friday within the capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo, where a stadium stampede led to the loss of at least 13 lives, among them seven children. The tragic event was confirmed by both the Red Cross and a local member of parliament.
Opposition MP Hanitra Razafimanantsoa reported on a local radio station, “As of now, we have confirmed the deaths of 13 individuals, and 107 people have sustained injuries.”
The Red Cross, present at the scene, provided additional insight, stating, “We are currently working on compiling the final list, but sadly, seven minors are among those who lost their lives.”
Initially, the Prime Minister of Madagascar, Christian Ntsay, had announced the toll as “12 deceased and approximately 80 injured.”
The stampede transpired at the entrance of Barea stadium, where a crowd of roughly 50,000 attendees had gathered for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games.
The exact cause of this tragedy remains unknown, yet the Red Cross emphasized that the casualty count may rise.
Antsa Mirado, a communications manager with the Red Cross, shared, “A large number of people at the entrance triggered a chaotic rush.”
President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, who was present during the opening ceremony, called for a minute of silence to honor the victims. He addressed the grim situation in a televised speech, saying, “A tragic incident occurred due to pushing at the entrance. This led to injuries and unfortunate deaths.”
Television Footage Displays Stunned Individuals Searching for Their Belongings Amidst the Chaotic Debris, Resulting from the Tragic Stampede.
Additional visuals from within the stadium, widely shared on social media platforms, depict the stands brimming with eager spectators.
The ongoing Indian Ocean Island Games, encompassing various disciplines, are taking place in Madagascar and will continue until September 3rd.
This multi-sport event has been organized every four years across diverse islands in the southwestern Indian Ocean for nearly four decades. The preceding edition was hosted by Mauritius.
Madagascar has unfortunately experienced stadium-related fatalities before.
The Barea stadium, the largest on the island housing approximately 28 million residents, encountered a similar catastrophic incident back in 2019.
During a concert held to commemorate the country’s national holiday, at least 16 individuals lost their lives, and numerous others sustained injuries.
Tragically, among the victims were three children.
