People stand next to clothing and various items spread over the pavement at the scene following a stampede in Abidjan on Jan. 1.(Photo: Herve Sevi, AFP/Getty Images)
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast -- At least 61 people were killed early Tuesday in a stampede following a
New Year's fireworks display in Abidjan, Ivory Coast's commercial
center, said officials.
The death toll is expected to rise, according to rescue workers.
The
majority of those killed were young people between eight to 15 years
old who were trampled after the fireworks festivities in Abidjan's
Plateau district, at about 1 a.m. Tuesday, said Col. Issa Sako, of the
fire department rescue team.
Thousands gathered at the Felix
Houphouet Boigny Stadium to see the fireworks and after the display the
crowds moved out onto the Boulevard de la Republic by the Hotel Tiama,
said Sako, on Ivory Coast state television.
"The flood of people
leaving the stadium became a stampede which led to the deaths of more
than 60 and injured more than 200," said Sako.
President Alassane
Ouattara has visited some of the wounded in hospital and he pledged that
his government would pay for the costs of their medical treatment,
according to the president's office.
Ouattara's government
organized the fireworks to celebrate Ivory Coast's peace, after several
months of political violence in early 2011 following disputed elections.
It was the second year that Abidjan had a New Year's fireworks display.
Desperate parents went to the city morgue, the hospital and to the stadium to try to find children who are still missing.
Mamadou Sanogo was searching for his nine-year-old son, Sayed.
"I have just seen all the bodies, but I cannot find my son," said a tearful Sanogo. "I don't know what to do."
Associated Press