The stampede that led to the deaths of eight people outside the Olembe Stadium was caused by a ‘reckless’ decision to open the gate to a ‘flood of people’, Cameroon’s sports minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, said Friday.

“That entry gate was momentarily closed by security forces in the face of a surge of spectators despite other entry gates being in operation,” he said at a press conference in Douala, according to news agency AFP. 

“Overwhelmed by this surge of people, the security forces took the reckless decision to open the south gate, leading to a crush,” the minister added.  

Also Read: 17 dead in nightclub fire in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde

He did agree that the number of security staff was ‘insufficient’, but the huge influx of people who were trying to get in, with or without tickets, led to the tragedy ahead of the African Cup of Nations soccer game in Cameroon on Monday.

He added that several spectators arrived late to the venue despite the gates opening five hours before the games had to begin. 

The minister further spoke of measures being undertaken to investigate the incident and said that reopening the Olembe Stadium was the government’s priority. 

“We are absolutely not playing down what happened but no country is safe from the threat of such accidents or disasters,” he said. The measures include increasing the number of security personnel, banning entry of children under 11, limiting the crowds to 60% of the capacity, and shifting ticket or COVID test checkpoints away from the stadium.

The measures included moving ticket and COVID-19 test checkpoints further away from the stadium, increasing the number of security personnel and banning children under 11 from matches.

Also Read: Vaishno Devi stampede probe panel asks general public to submit videos or record statements

Witnesses said the stampede happened when stadium stewards closed the gates and stopped allowing people in.

The Confederation of African Football, which runs the African Cup, said in a statement it was investigating the incident. The report for the same has reportedly been submitted to the government.

Also Read: Vaishno Devi stampede survivors blame ‘mismanagement’, board refutes charge

“CAF is currently investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired. We are in constant communication with Cameroon government and the Local Organizing Committee,” it had said, reported Associated Press.

(With inputs from agencies)