Fatal Soccer Stampede

A stampede in Zambia killed 12 soccer fans and injured many others after a match between the home team and Congo Brazaville late on Saturday, police said on Sunday.

Copperbelt police chief Antonnell Mutentwa told Reuters 46 soccer fans were injured and admitted in hospital in the copper mining town bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 450km north of Lusaka.

Mutentwa said fans were trampled underfoot by fellow soccer supporters as they rushed to leave the stadium after Zambia beat Congo Brazaville 3-0 in an African Cup qualifier.

Mutentwa said the cause of the stampede was unclear, though one witness said it had been caused by people rushing to get aboard free transport. Police launched an investigation.

Some people were kept at the Konkola mine hospital with serious injuries, while 26 others were discharged after receiving treatment, Mutentwa said.