Fourteen injured in stadium stampede

Published: 06 Jun 2010 - 19:18:25

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At least 14 people have been injured after a stampede at a pre-World Cup friendly between Nigeria and North Korea in a Johannesburg township, South Africa police have confirmed.

The incident occurred outside the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa, east of the city, where the two teams were wrapping up their preparations for the finals.

There was a crowd surge once the stadium gates were opened with several people knocked to the floor and trampled as fans sought to get into the 12,000 seat arena. Authorities closed the gates but another surge started once they were re-opened.

One police officer was also among the injured, but further details are still being investigated.

Colonel Eugene Opperman of the South African Police Services (SAPS) told Press Association Sport: "There was definitely a stampede, but it happened on the outside of the stadium and not the inside.

"We have 14 civilians that are injured and one policeman. There were no deaths."