In an absolutely shocking incident, at least 12 people died, and at least 80 were injured in a stampede at a stadium in Madagascar. Multiple heart-breaking Madagascar stampede videos have been doing rounds on social media and netizens are shell-shocked over the incident. The Madagascar stampede incident took place after sports fans gathered for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games. The nation's Prime Minister Christian Ntsay announced the deaths adding that around 80 people had been injured and 11 of them critically. Not only this, but Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina was also at the ceremony at Mahamasina Stadium in the capital, Antananarivo, and asked the crowd to observe a few moments of silence for the dead.
In multiple Madagascar stampede videos, it can be seen authorities and hospital members lifted the dead bodies and took injured fans to the stadium. It is pertinent to mention here that the Madagascar stadium has been the center of tragic incidents before as well. Madagascar Stadium is built to hold around 41,000 people. As per reports, one person died and at least 37 were injured in a crush ahead of a qualifying game for the African Cup of Nations soccer tournament between Madagascar and Senegal in 2018.
Watch the Madagascar stadium stampede video
〰️ 🏟 🔗🚨 EMERGENCY #Madagascar's national stadium for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games has killed 12 & injured around 80, the PM said
— A Deniz Ekşioğlu (@_AD_CHANEL6) August 25, 2023
pic.twitter.com/IEoyHDu8Vz https://t.co/hMKE4L1cMF
Again in 2019, at least 15 people died in the same stadium during a music concert. For the unversed, the Indian Ocean Island Games is a multi-sports event featuring nations from the region. Athletes from Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, and Seychelles also compete at the games.
(NOTE: THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY)