Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up
NBCSports Header Logo

17 killed in stampede at Angolan soccer stadium

2012 Olympic Games - Opening Ceremony

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Antonia Moreira of the Angola Olympic judo team carries her country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG (AP) A crowd stampeded at a soccer stadium in Angola on Friday, leaving at least 17 people dead and dozens injured.

[ MORE: “I think that’s it” for Wenger; “he’s coming to the end,” says Wright ]

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 Angolan and Portuguese media.

Some of the dead were children who suffocated in the stampede, the Portuguese news agency Lusa said. Lusa and Angop, Angola’s state-run news agency, reported a death toll of 17.

[ MORE: Pochettino demands more from Spurs away to top-six sides ]

Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos expressed condolences to the families of the victims, and instructed officials to assist the injured and open an investigation, Angop reported.

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.