A tragic stampede occurred on Friday, August 25th, resulting in 12 fatalities and 85 injuries, according to the latest report from the defense and security forces. The incident transpired outside one of the entrances of Barea Stadium in the heart of Antananarivo, where the opening ceremony of the 11th Indian Ocean Island Games was taking place.
A joint task force, comprising members of both the gendarmerie and the police, has been established to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this deadly stampede, as stated in the official communication from the defense and security forces.
The investigation aims to determine accountability and understand the events that unfolded around 4:30 pm on Friday, near gate C5 of Barea Stadium, where hundreds of spectators were awaiting entry to the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games. Did the gate open intentionally, or did it give way under the pressure of the crowd? At present, law enforcement agencies have refrained from speculating on potential causes.
At that moment, Barea Stadium was already at full capacity, with 50,000 people present, exceeding its seating capacity of just over 40,000. The continuation of festivities at the stadium, even as injured individuals were being transported to emergency rooms and morgues, has sparked controversy.
On Sunday morning, the organizing committee of the Indian Ocean Island Games announced that a minute of silence would be observed at the commencement of each competition in honor of the victims. Some had anticipated a national day of mourning, echoing the sentiment of the president of the Malagasy Olympic Committee, who had called for three days of national mourning.
In an official statement, the joint operational headquarters responsible for the security of this sporting event outlined that measures have been implemented to reinforce safety and protect spectators throughout the games, which will continue until September 3rd on the island nation. This tragic incident has underscored the paramount importance of meticulous planning and comprehensive security protocols in large-scale public events.