Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: STAMPEDE

  • Police Confirms 31 deaths In Stampede at Rivers Church Event

    Police Confirms 31 deaths In Stampede at Rivers Church Event

    The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the death of 31 persons in a stampede that occurred during a church program in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday.

    The command also disclosed that those who were injured were “swiftly evacuated to the hospital for immediate medical treatment”.

    According to the statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe Koko, preliminary investigations conducted by the command indicate that the “unfortunate incident occurred when the management of Kings Church Assembly organised a crusade which attracted mammoth crowd”.

    The church was meant to give out food items to the less privileged.

    The police said the crowd was “uncontrollable” and “all efforts made by the organisers to bring sanity proved abortive”.

    The Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, while condemning the incident, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of the State Criminal Investigations Department to carry out discrete investigations into the incident.

    He further called on religious and charity organizations to ensure they work with the police for security and crowd control management in organising their programmes in the future.

    The commissioner also commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed to God to comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • AFCON FINAL BILLED FOR STADIUM WHERE 8 DIED IN STAMPEDE

    AFCON FINAL BILLED FOR STADIUM WHERE 8 DIED IN STAMPEDE

    The final of the Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Sunday lifted its suspension of the venue where eight people died in a crush on January 24.

    CAF’s announcement means that the second semi-final scheduled for February 3 will go ahead at the ground along with the February 6 final.
    “Having noted the recommendations and undertakings from the government in regard to additional security provisions…the CAF Organising Committee unanimously agreed to lift the suspension imposed on the Olembe Stadium,” African football’s governing body said in a statement.

    “The Local Organising Committee and the government of Cameroon having significantly increased security and resources at the Olembe Stadium, (CAF) are confident that the safety and security of spectators and visitors will be assured.”

    The disaster happened prior to last Monday’s last-16 tie between hosts Cameroon and the Comoros when supporters were caught in a crush at the south entrance gate of the stadium.

    The eight dead included a child, while 38 people were also injured.
    The semi-final to be played at Olembe will see Cameroon play Egypt.
    The other semi-final will be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, also in Yaounde, on February 2.