Electoral Campaigns Suspended After 8 die in Senegal Stadium Tragedy

At least eight people have died after a wall collapsed during the Senegalese League Cup Final.

The tragedy occurred in a match between USO and Stade de Mbour at the Demba Dior football stadium in the country’s capital.

Sports minister Matar Ba said a young girl was among the dead, while around 60 injured fans had been taken to health facilities in Dakar.

Cheikh Maba Diop, whose friend died in the incident, told AFP: “All of a sudden when the wall fell – we knew exactly that some of our own had lost their lives because the wall fell directly on to people.”

As well as the deaths, at least 49 people were injured after violence erupted between two sets of supporters after the final whistle .and it is believed police used tear gas which led to mass panic.

Police used tear gas in response to the clashes – sparking a mass panic and stampede.

Some fans were throwing projectiles including stones at others during the incident before supporters flooded the pitch to escape the terraces.

A spokesman for Senegal president Macky Sall said that campaigning for upcoming elections would be halted as a mark of respect.

He added that there should be “punishments serving as a warning” following the tragic events.

Other reports say Senegal's safety record at large gatherings has been heavily criticized this year after the death of dozens of people at a religious retreat in April when a fire ripped through makeshift shelters.