The President of Ghana, John Kufuor, has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the stampede at a football stadium in which at least 130 people died.
I appeal to all of you to show restraint and calm. The eyes of the world are upon us
Ghanaian President John Kufuor
The death toll could be even higher, as some bodies might have been taken home by relatives without the knowledge of hospital authorities, officials said.
Mr Kufuor declared three days of mourning following the disaster, the fourth and worst in an African stadium in less than a month.
The president said six police officers who were in charge of security at the Accra sports stadium during Wednesday's match were being questioned.
Many fans blamed the police for firing tear gas to control the rowdy fans, prompting a stampede for the narrow exits.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the sport's governing body on the continent, has called on Ghanaian police to refrain from using uncontrolled tear gas for crowd control.
Angry youths have attacked several police stations in Accra. May 10, 2001 Reuters.
I appeal to all of you to show restraint and calm. The eyes of the world are upon us
Ghanaian President John Kufuor
The death toll could be even higher, as some bodies might have been taken home by relatives without the knowledge of hospital authorities, officials said.
Mr Kufuor declared three days of mourning following the disaster, the fourth and worst in an African stadium in less than a month.
The president said six police officers who were in charge of security at the Accra sports stadium during Wednesday's match were being questioned.
Many fans blamed the police for firing tear gas to control the rowdy fans, prompting a stampede for the narrow exits.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the sport's governing body on the continent, has called on Ghanaian police to refrain from using uncontrolled tear gas for crowd control.
Angry youths have attacked several police stations in Accra. May 10, 2001 Reuters.
I love the "witchcraft" angle in this story...
Lightning reportedly kills 11 soccer players in Congo
Copyright © 1998 Nando Media
Copyright © 1998 Associated Press
KINSHASA, Congo (Oct 28, 1998 - 10:26 EST) -- Lightning killed 11 members of a Congolese soccer team and injured dozens more people during a weekend game, the Congolese news agency reported.
The lightning bolt killed all the players on the home team in the village of Bena Tshadi in the province of Eastern Kasai, the Congolese Press Agency said.
The report could not be independently confirmed.
More than 30 people, most on the sidelines, were injured, but none of the injuries is believed life-threatening, the report said.
Investigators blamed the lightning bolt on witchcraft because all the opposing players, from nearby Basangana village, escaped injury, the agency reported Tuesday.
Sorcery is often used in the region in an attempt to influence soccer games. Witchcraft is often blamed throughout west and central Africa to explain natural phenomenon and illness.
The score was 1-1 when the lightning struck.
In South Africa last weekend, six soccer players were hurt when lightning struck the
Lightning reportedly kills 11 soccer players in Congo
Copyright © 1998 Nando Media
Copyright © 1998 Associated Press
KINSHASA, Congo (Oct 28, 1998 - 10:26 EST) -- Lightning killed 11 members of a Congolese soccer team and injured dozens more people during a weekend game, the Congolese news agency reported.
The lightning bolt killed all the players on the home team in the village of Bena Tshadi in the province of Eastern Kasai, the Congolese Press Agency said.
The report could not be independently confirmed.
More than 30 people, most on the sidelines, were injured, but none of the injuries is believed life-threatening, the report said.
Investigators blamed the lightning bolt on witchcraft because all the opposing players, from nearby Basangana village, escaped injury, the agency reported Tuesday.
Sorcery is often used in the region in an attempt to influence soccer games. Witchcraft is often blamed throughout west and central Africa to explain natural phenomenon and illness.
The score was 1-1 when the lightning struck.
In South Africa last weekend, six soccer players were hurt when lightning struck the
