New year’s agony : How nine people died in stampede to see fireworks at Freedom city

New year’s agony : How nine people died in stampede to see fireworks at Freedom city

By Innocent Ruhangariyo

Kampala – At least nine people believed to have died leaving others injured in a stampede at a new year’s event that also had a fireworks display at Freedom city mall in Kampala, according to police.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the victims were crushed as hundreds of people tried to return to the hall after watching a fireworks display that ushered in the new year.

“It is alleged that the incident occurred at midnight when the event’s Mc encouraged attendees to go outside and watch the fireworks display but at the display end, a stampede ensued, resulting in the instant death of five people and injuries to several others,” Owoyesigyire said.

Many of the deaths occurred due to suffocation since the venue was packed beyond capacity with over 7,000 people in attendance.

He noted that emergency responders arrived on the scene and transported the injured individuals to nearby health centers, where nine were confirmed dead.

Police further said, bodies have been transferred to the city mortuary at Mulago national referral Hospital for postmortem as investigations into the incident of rash and negligence kicks off.

The event at Freedom city along Entebbe road was one of the many in several parts of the country organized to welcome the new year by revelers.

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