- At least 19 children perished and several others wounded yesterday after a stampede inside a disco in central Tanzania, police officials said. The stampede took place in Tabora region, about 750 kilometers north-west of commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
"There are 19 people dead, 11 girls and eight boys, aged between 12 and 17. They were in a children's disco, celebrating Eid," Salva Rweyemamu, director of communications at Tanzania's presidential office said.
President Jakaya Kikwete has sent condolences to families of victims, reportedly to have all been in their teen ages.
Tabora regional police commander Daudi Siasi said preliminary investigations revealed children died of stampede and suffocation in the disco hall.
He said incident occurred at a building owned by National Social Security Fund (NSSF) during Eid al-Fitr festivities that mark end of Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadhan.
Tabora Police chief said that stampede was caused by a commotion in the disco after air-conditioning system in the building malfunctioned.
Mr Saisi said several people were injured and taken to Tobora town's hospitals, where some were either admitted, or treated then allowed to go home. "Several injured people were rushed to nearby hospitals," he said.
He said a town is in a sombre mood as a result the incident, further stating that police have launched investigations into what had really caused the stampede.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español