A tragic stampede outside a major political rally in Ivory Coast claimed the lives of four individuals, a senior official from the ruling party confirmed to reporters on Wednesday.
The incident occurred during a massive gathering on Sunday organized by the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), the party of President Alassane Ouattara, at the Ebimpe Stadium in Abidjan. The event drew an estimated 60,000 attendees.
During the rally, President Ouattara hinted at a possible bid for a fourth term in the upcoming October presidential election, stating that he would announce his decision “in the coming days.”
“It was as we were returning home, outside the stadium, that there was a stampede,” said Amede Koffi Kouakou, chairman of the organising committee for last weekend’s party congress.
Koffi Kouakou, also minister of equipment and road maintenance, offered “deepest condolences to all the victims” and wished “a speedy recovery to those injured” in the stampede.
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Employment and Social Protection Minister Adama Kamara, during a visit to the hospital in Anyama where the injured were receiving treatment, expressed deep sorrow over the incident. She extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, stating that the government stood in solidarity with them during this difficult time.