BASRA, Iraq (AP) — Relatives of one of the soccer enthusiasts killed in a stampede at a stadium in southern Iraq ahead of the Arabian Gulf Cup final blamed organizers and ticketless enthusiasts for the deaths of at least four people.
Thousands of ticketless enthusiasts piled up outdoors at Basra’s foreign stadium on Thursday ahead of the final between the hosts and Oman. According to witnesses, the pushing and shoving of the crowd caused the stampede, which also left dozens injured.
Hamza Adnan Ahmed, a 25-year-old Baghdad, was among those killed on Thursday. His family told Al Jazeera that Ahmed, an engineer, came to Basra with his brother to attend every match.
“My circle of relatives and I were shocked to be informed of my brother’s death,” another of Ahmed’s brothers who was in Baghdad at the time of the incident told Al Jazeera.
“The last time he called us on Wednesday night, he told us he was very pleased to be in Basra for the final. He said he hoped to celebrate in the stadium and experience the atmosphere of the city. Unfortunately, I may not do that. “
“My other brother who accompanied him survived, but Ahmed couldn’t get out of the crowd.
“I blame the ticketless enthusiasts who tried to enter the stadium [for this tragedy]. I blame the government and the organizers who failed in this tragedy, I blame the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Everyone is bound by what happened and by my brother’s death.
Al Jazeera may simply not be successful at the Basra fitness unit or the Iraq Football Association for comment.
Zayn Kareem, a 24-year-old Basra resident, was caught in the stampede but managed to escape.
“The crowd was pushed in. I was about to die. I had a price ticket but couldn’t get in. I went home and saw it with my family,” Kareem told Al Jazeera.
“It was a confusing day, but luckily I survived,” said the soccer fan, who also blamed the fans who arrived without tickets for love at first sight.
“The Basra government has opened another stadium for enthusiasts to come by and watch the setting on the big screen,” Kareem said. “There were also giant screens on the main streets of Basra, and you’ve seen it elsewhere. “
Mustafa Qadir, 31, also from Basra, described the scene as “he will never forget. “
“Thousands of other people had gathered in front of the stadium. They pushed each other to force their way into the stadium. The security forces tried to separate them, but it was very difficult,” Qadir told Al Jazeera.
“I saw other people of all ages, men, women, children, teenagers, striving to succeed at the front door and walk in. I don’t think everyone was given worthwhile tickets. That’s why I loved it at first glance. I bought my worth the ticket on the black market for around $100 as they couldn’t be obtained at the original value of $10.