26-8-2023 (ANTANANARIVO) At least 13 individuals, including seven children, tragically lost their lives on Friday (Aug 25) in a devastating stampede that occurred at a stadium in Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. The distressing incident took place during the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games, with approximately 50,000 spectators in attendance.
Opposition MP Hanitra Razafimanantsoa disclosed the grim figures, stating, “So far, 13 people have been killed and 107 injured,” during a radio interview. The Red Cross, present at the scene, corroborated the statement, adding, “We don’t yet have the final list. Seven minors died.”
Initially, Prime Minister Christian Ntsay of the Indian Ocean nation had reported “12 dead and some 80 injured.” However, the death toll was later revised upwards.
The exact cause of the stampede remains unknown, but the Red Cross expressed concerns that the number of casualties may increase. “There were a lot of people at the entrance, which triggered a stampede,” explained Antsa Mirado, a communications manager with the Red Cross, during an interview with AFP.
The Barea stadium, where the incident unfolded, turned into a scene of chaos and despair as dazed and shocked individuals searched for their belongings amid the aftermath. Television footage captured the heart-wrenching sight of disoriented victims attempting to locate their shoes amidst the debris left by the tragic crush.
Social media platforms were inundated with images from inside the stadium, depicting packed stands filled with spectators who had arrived to witness the highly anticipated sporting event.
President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, who was present at the opening ceremony, called for a minute’s silence to honor the victims. In a televised speech, he expressed his profound grief, saying, “A tragic event occurred because there was pushing. There were injuries and deaths at the entrance.”
The Indian Ocean Island Games, a multi-disciplinary competition, will continue in Madagascar until September 3. These games have been held every four years for approximately four decades, with different islands in the southwest Indian Ocean taking turns as hosts. The previous edition of the event was held in Mauritius.
