Antananarivo: At least 12 people have been killed in a stampede at a stadium in the Madagascar capital Antananarivo, said prime minister Christian Ntsay on Friday.
While talking to media at a hospital where victims have been shifted, he said 12 people have been killed so far while 80 other injured.
The stampede took place at the main entrance of the Barea stadium where a crowd of around 50,000 spectators had come to witness the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games.
The cause of the tragedy could not be determined immediately.
President Andry calls for a minute’s silence
President of Madagascar Andry Rajoelina, who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony, called for a minute’s silence.
In a speech he said a tragic event occurred because there was pushing adding there were injuries and deaths at the entrance.
The Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar would conclude on September 3. The multi-disciplined event has been held every four years in different islands in the south-west Indian Ocean for around 40 years. The previous event was held in Mauritius.
