New year eve stampede
Nine people among them five children have been killed while several others hospitalized after new year eve party turned chaotic at Freedom City Mall in Kampala Uganda
According to Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the incident happened at midnight while ushering in the New Year. He said that the crowd had moved out of the mall to watch fireworks display shortly before the tragedy occurred.
“It is alleged that the incident occurred at midnight when the event’s masters of ceremony – MC encouraged attendees to go outside and watch the fireworks display. After the display ended, a stampede ensued, resulting in the instant deaths of five people and injuries to several others,” said Owoyesigyire in a statement.
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According to Owoyesigyire, emergency responders arrived on the scene and transported the injured individuals to the hospital, where nine were confirmed dead. The deceased were transferred to Mulago city mortuary for postmortem.
Haji Kimera, whose two grandchildren died in the stampede, spoke to VOA by phone.
“He says, the children, one had been promoted to grade seven and the other to grade six. He says, their father had taken them to Freedom City,” daid Kimera.
Millions of Ugandans joined the rest of the world to usher in 2023, the first time the New Year was being welcomed with large festivities after two years due to COVID-19.
Police have launched investigations into what might have caused the stampede.
