Stadium crush kills at least 19 in Abidjan

JOHANNESBURG: At least 19 people were killed in a stadium crush during a World Cup qualifier between Cote d'Ivoire and Malawi in Abidjan on Sunday.

A rush by spectators led to the collapse of a wall, medical officials told Reuters. Police then fired tear gas to clear the crowd, causing a stampede which also left many people seriously injured.

The tragedy followed similar incidents which have marred international matches in Africa in the last decade, including two separate ones in Zambia and the death of 13 people in Zimbabwe nine years ago.