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SA's DAY OF DISASTER

In a day of tragedy for South Africa, 43 soccer fans were killed in a stampede at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg last night -- and 28 passengers died when an overloaded bus crashed down a steep hill near Kokstad early yesterday morning. 43 crushed in chaos at soccer match

JOHANNESBURG -- Tragedy struck Ellis Park last night when 43 people were confirmed killed in a stampede during the first half of the Castle Premiership derby match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

A child and eight women were among the dead.

Emergency Services spokesman Rodney Eksteen said an earlier figure of 47 was revised as emergency services could only account for 43 fatalities.

The child, seven women and 21 men were killed inside the stadium while one woman and 13 men died outside the stadium.

Eksteen said the injuries were mostly fractured ribs, skulls, broken lower limbs and were injuries associated with a stampede.

According to eyewitness reports security officials closed the gates after a capacity 65000 fans were inside the stadium prior to the 8pm kick-off.

Chaos erupted when an estimated 60 000 people outside tried to get inside and the gate on the east side of the stadium was broken down and spectators rushed inside. Many lost their lives and scores were injured in the crush.

The dead and injured were carried onto the perimeter of the pitch. Many bodies were trapped in barbed razor wire.

The match was halted by Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Robin Petersen after 33 minutes. Petersen signalled to the match referee Robbie Williams, who immediately brought a halt to the game. The score was 1-1 at the time the game was stopped.

Security and medical personnel battled to attend to the injured. An ambulance helicopter landed on the field to transport the seriously injured from the stadium.

It was reported that serious damage was done to the suites on the east side of the stadium after people broke down the gates trying to get inside.

The number of injured was not immediately known, but Chiefs spokesman Putco Mafani said they were being transported to the nearest hospitals.

Eksteen told Sapa five people were critically injured, 20 to 30 seriously injured and 130 were stable after being treated for minor injuries.

Live television coverage showed the field littered with the injured and dead.

"I was in my seat and the next thing we knew people were on top of us and we were flung out of our seats," said injured Harrieth Dlamini, a 31-year-old mother of two. "I have no feeling in my legs."

A crying 12-year-old boy with a fractured leg had lost contact with the people he arrived with. "I came from Meadowlands (in Soweto) by taxi," the boy told Sapa. "The only thing I know is the driver is Dlamini. I don't know where the other people I came with are."

SABC television commentators said too many tickets were sold for the game.

Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour told the crowd the government extended its condolences to the bereaved.

"On behalf of the government and the Sports Department, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones."

Kaizer Chief managing director Kaizer Motaung told the spectators:"We have a moral obligation not to continue with the game and to show respect to the bereaved and reschedule the game for another day," he said.

He asked fans to retain their tickets for a rematch to be announced at a later date.

Orlando Pirates managing director Irvin Khoza urged fans to leave peacefully. He commended them for their good behaviour and apologised on behalf of the officials for what had happened. -- Sapa-DDC

Source:  Dispatch Online