South African stadium stampede claims two lives

Two football supporters were killed after a high-profile South African Carling Black Label Cup clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates was marred by a stampede in the FNB stadium. 

The Soweto Derby is the most eagerly anticipated fixture on the calendar, and tickets for the match were sold out two weeks in advance. 

The game, however, ended in tragedy with two fans losing their lives and 19 further individuals being injured, one critically.

After their initial investigation at the stadium, the police believe the tragedy was caused by the supporters rushing at the gates, "a rolling mass of people were trying to get into the stadium," a spokesman said to News 24. 

"We will have to wait for a fuller investigation before drawing a conclusion."

Sponsors Carling Black Label stated that two fans passed away due to ''blunt force trauma''.

AFP

Michael Sun, MMC for public safety for the City of Johannesburg, further alleged that the sale of fake tickets were also to blame for the incident at Gate J. 

South African Football Association President Dr Danny Jordaan released the following statement to confirm that the incident will be investigated further.

"A football match is supposed to be a place of entertainment. What happened at FNB Stadium is very unfortunate," said Jordaan.

“We are going to ask for a full report and institute a full investigation on what transpired and the cause for the stampede.

“I would also like to wish the injured speedy recovery. A football match is supposed to be a place of entertainment not a death field and what happened at FNB Stadium is very unfortunate,” he added.

In the year 2001 South African soccer also experienced a tragedy when 43 supporters were killed in a stampede, and 10 years earlier 42 fans similarly passed away in another Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates game.