AFCON, FIFA Sends Condolences After Tragic Deaths At The Ólembe Stadium.

The Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final games which is to be played at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Sunday has been moved after a fatal stampede occurred outside the ground on Monday night.

According to figures released by Cameroon health ministry, at least Eight people have died, while 38 more are injured.

“Eight deaths were recorded, two women in their 30s, four men in their 30s, one child, one body taken away by the family,” said a preliminary health ministry report.

The stampede occurred as crowds struggled to get access into the stadium to watch the live round-of-16 game between host nation Cameroon vs Comoros.

The Confederation of African Football world(CAF), world governing body FIFA, and other football bodies like the Premier League have sent condolences to the affected families.

CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe went to the hospital this morning to visit the victims of the Olembe stadium. To express the solidarity of CAF. He was also accompanied by his Vice-Presidents.

Motsepe insisted that Caf must take responsibility for the tragedy along with the local organising committee and the Cameroonian government.

"We have a duty to find out exactly what happened and more importantly to put in preventative measures to ensure that what happened never happens again," he said.

"There were deficiencies, weaknesses, failures, things that should have been foreseen.

"When people lose their lives you must be angry and demand explanations and guarantees that it will never happen again."

"The thoughts and prayers of the global football community are with the victims, the ones who have been injured in this incident, and all the staff of both the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and the Cameroonian Football Association (Fecafoot) at this difficult moment.”

The Olembe Stadium was newly constructed to host the tournament, and has a capacity of 60,000 but was not meant to accept more than 60% capacity, or 80% full when the Indomitable Lions play due to Covid-19 restrictions.

However, match officials stated that as many as 50,000 people were trying to attend the match on Monday.

The #AFCON2021 quarter-final due to be held at the Olembe Stadium on Sunday will be moved after eight people were killed and dozens injured as fans struggled to get access to a match between Cameroon and Comoros.
Full story 👉 https://t.co/5L2zXX7K7K pic.twitter.com/UX6pucOiAI

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) January 25, 2022

 Sunday’s quarter-final is now set to be played at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde instead.

The Ólembe stadium held the opening ceremony and is due to host a semi-final and the Nations Cup final on Sunday, 6 February.

President Paul Biya has ordered an investigation into the tragedy, while Caf is in in "communication" with the Cameroonian government and the local organizing committee and has also launched its own investigation.

Football's world governing body Fifa has sent its "deepest condolences" to families and friends of the victims of a crush outside a stadium.

"Fifa sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the tragic incident that took place at Olembe Stadium," the statement from Fifa said.

Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar issued a statement on behalf of the squad, saying the Indomitable Lions are deeply sad after hearing about fatalities and injuries.

"To the families of the victims, [we] extend their heart-felt condolences and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," Aboubakar said.

"The Indomitable Lions urge the football fans in Cameroon and Africa to be highly disciplined and responsible within and outside the stadiums so that football matches in general and the 2021 Nations Cup remain festive moments.

"We also call for the preservation of security, brotherhood and shared happiness in the stadiums."

There would be a minute silence at all games to remember the victims.