Fans injured in stampede.

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Unconfirmed reports that 43 fans have been killed in a stampede outside #wc2010 warm-up match between Nigeria & North Korea

Fans stampede gates outside stadium

By GERALD IMRAY (AP) – 24 minutes ago

TEMBISA, South Africa — Thousands of soccer fans stampeded the gates outside a stadium Sunday before a World Cup warmup match between Nigeria and North Korea.

Several fans could be seen falling under the rush of people, many wearing Nigeria jerseys. The Makhulong Stadium in the Johannesburg suburb seats about 10,000 fans.

The first rush came when the gates opened to allow fans into the stadium. Police soon closed the gates, but when they were reopened, a second rush occurred, with more people falling and being run over.

Shortly after the second rush, the gates were closed again and much of the crowd dissipated.

A policeman was hurt in the crush and left bloodied. He was later taken away on a stretcher. Other fans who appeared to be lightly injured walked away from the scene as it calmed down.

The teams were lining up for the national anthems when the second surge happened. They had no idea what was going on outside.

Such incidents frequently happen in soccer. Last year, FIFA fined Ivory Coast's football federation $46,800 after 22 people died in a stampede at a World Cup qualifying match

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ik1hjYn9txBv0wqC2l0KTfmnT1lAD9G5QS9G3

That is mental. So security in South Africa isn't all its been made up to be then.

Dutch media are reporting 9 people were injured and brought to the hospital, no deaths.

On the BBC site they say 12 people are injured:

Dozen fans injured in South African stadium crush

Fans prior to the warm-up match between North Korea and Nigeria in Johannesburg
Fans were attempting to get in to see the Nigerians play North Korea

Twelve people have been injured and one policeman seriously hurt after a crush outside a South African ground hosting a World Cup warm-up game.

Several fans fell under a rush of people outside the Makhulong Stadium in the Johannesburg suburb of Tembisa.

Entry to the friendly game between Nigeria and North Korea was free and many more than the 10,000 capacity turned up for the match.

"The crowd overpowered me and I went down," said one fan, Japhta Mombelo.

"I fell down and people just fell over me."

The first crowd surge came when the stadium gates were opened to allow fans entry.

Police soon closed the gates, but when they were re-opened, a second rush occurred, with more people falling over.

The policeman, who has been taken to hospital, was reported to have been crushed against one of the gates.

The crowd was mainly made up of local South African and travelling Nigerian fans.

Regardless, a VERY bad start of the World Cup.

Not good.

I mean Africa NEEDS this World Cup to go off without a hitch. Between the tragedy at the Nations Cup earlier in the year, and then this - anything else goes wrong, and any consideration for major tournaments in the future will be greatly tarnished.

Can the title of this thread be changed?

Can the title of this thread be changed?

Good point Mr Gow.

Title changed.

Still a terrible start to the WC with regards to security.

Fingers crossed this is a one off and the rest of the tournament goes without a hitch.