TheCable

Not less than 17 people were crushed to death during a stampede at a football stadium in Angola on Friday.

The accident happened in the northwestern town of Uige when hundreds of people rushed at one of the stadium gates, causing some to fall and be trampled underfoot, according to Sky Sports.

Spectators had gone to the stadium to watch the inaugural game between home team Santa Rita de Cassia and Recreativo de Libolo in the national Girabola competition.

Over 60 people were injured in the stampede and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

“There had been a push that led to the suffocation of people,” said Ernesto Luis, director general of the local hospital in northern Angola.

“Some people had to walk on the top of other people. There were 76 casualties, of whom 17 died.”

Recretaivo de Libolo defeated Santa Rita 1-0 in the game.