Dozens Die in Mali Stadium Stampede

The British Embassy in Mali announced Tuesday that dozens of people were killed in a stampede at the Modibo Keita stadium in Bamako Monday afternoon. Thousands of people were gathered at the stadium to celebrate the Muslim festival of Maouland, which marks the birth of the prophet Mohammed. The stampede occurred as the crowd was leaving the building after hearing Imam Osman Madani Haidara speak.

“The stadium seats 25,000 and it was absolutely full, as it is every time Imam Osman Madani Haidara gives a sermon," says Mohamed Ba said of the British Embassy.

At least 36 people were killed and 64 others wounded. Officials say most of the dead were women. It is still unclear what sparked the stampede.

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