At least 45 people were killed Wednesday when stampeding soccer fans tried to force their way into a packed stadium in Johannesburg for a match between two elite South African teams. Tickets for the match, featuring the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, was reportedly oversold. Once the stadium was filled, fans pushing from the outside were trapped against barbed wire, officials said. Police used tear gas to try and disperse the crowd, to no avail. The carnage, which included blanket-covered bodies lying on the playing field, was shown on South African television. The match was cancelled.
Soccer Tragedy
At least 45 people were killed Wednesday when stampeding soccer fans tried to force their way into a packed stadium in Johannesburg for a match between two elite South African teams. Tickets for the match, featuring the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, was reportedly oversold. Once the stadium was filled, fans pushing from the outside were trapped against barbed wire, officials said. Police used tear gas to try and disperse the crowd, to no avail. The carnage, which included blanket-covered bodies lying on the playing field, was shown on South African television. The match was cancelled.
