About 60 people were crushed to death in Ivory Coast's main city of Abidjan overnight after a New Year's Eve fireworks display, an emergency official and state radio said on Tuesday.
“There are around 60 dead, and about 200 injured, this is a provisional estimate,” a rescue official said, asking not to be named.
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Revelry ends on sour note: People stand next to clothing and various items spread over the pavement at the scene following a stampede in Abidjan. Pic/AFP
He said the incident happened near Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium where a crowd had gathered to watch fireworks.
Eyewitnesses said there were blood stains and abandoned shoes outside the stadium on Tuesday morning, and government officials and rescue and security forces were still there.
“My two children came here yesterday. I told them not to come but they didn’t listen. They came when I was sleeping. What will I do?” said Assetou Toure, a cleaner. She said she did not know if her children survived.
Baby 2013 born 7 sec after midnight
The first baby born on United States soil in 2013 came into the world just moments after the ball dropped. Greeting the world just seven seconds after midnight at the Sagua Managu Birthing Center in Tamuning was Kanato Azure Ikezumi. Kanato was three days past due, but arrived to greet the New Year.u00a0
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