BAGHDAD (AP) — A stampede outside a stadium in southern Iraq on Thursday killed at least two other people and wounded dozens, a fitness official said. Witnesses attributed the fatal incident to what they called the poor organization of the tournament.
The fatal incident occurred in the southern city of Basra as spectators gathered to watch the final match of Iraq’s first foreign soccer tournament in four decades. condition.
The adjustment took position on Thursday night and Iraq beat Oman 3-2, winning the eight-nation Arabian Gulf Cup.
Earlier in the day, a doctor at Basra General Hospital told The Associated Press that two other people were killed and 38 wounded. Some of those with minor injuries were treated and temporarily dismissed. Talk to the media.
“There was no consultation. Many other people came here, but unfortunately there is no organization,” Hadi said. He arrived in Basra from the southern Iraqi city of Najaf three days ago to watch the final attack and was unable to enter.
Riot police beat some passersby with batons to keep them away from the gate when the stampede broke out, he said.
Saddam Hassan, an ambulance driver, said there were other people of all ages near a steel fence leading to the front where the stampede occurred. He said his ambulance had transported other people injured with “bruises and fractures” to hospital.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry suggested other people without tickets for the latest attack leave the area. He said the stadium was complete and all doors were locked.
Iraq’s new prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who arrived in Basra on Thursday, suggested other people to the government to “show the best fit of the 25th edition of the Gulf Cup in its most productive form. “
In the afternoon, the Basra government said the stage was low and the crowd had moved away from the stadium, according to the official news agency.
Earlier in the day, the Iraqi news company reported that giant screens had been placed in other public places, as well as in the Basra stadium, so that other people could simply watch the match.
The Oman Football Association said Omani citizens recently at Basra airport would begin returning home for their own safety and to help the Iraqi government make sure the final adjustment is “successful. “
Oman’s Foreign Ministry expressed its condolences to the Iraqi government and others for the stampede and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.
The tournament included the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Yemen and Iraq.
This is the first time since 1979 that Iraq has hosted the tournament.