At least one person was killed and 20 others were injured Thursday in a stampede at a soccer stadium in the Iraqi city of Basra ahead of the Gulf Cup final between Iraq and Oman.
Medical sources quoted by the Iraqi news agency NINA said the incident took place in front of one of the entrances to the Palm Trunk stadium. Among the injured there are several people who have suffered broken bones and some are in serious condition.
After this, the Iraqi Minister of the Interior, Abdulamir al Shamari, announced the closing of the gates «after the stadium was filled with supporters» and assured that «no one will be allowed to enter after the closing of the gates», as reported by the television channel Al Sumaria.
For his part, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohamed Shia al Sudani, has gone to Basra to hold an urgent meeting with the governor, Asaad al Eidani, and other high officials. Al Eidani warned that the match could be suspended if more deaths are confirmed as a result of the incident.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
