Fifteen people were killed and at least a dozen injured in a stampede at a football final in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, government officials said.
The stampede at the Tata Raphael Stadium got initiated toward the end of a match between two popular Congolese teams, AS Vita Club and TP Mazembe, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry read on national television late Sunday.
As the home team AS Vita was losing 0-1 against TP Mazembe, the home fans began throwing stones on to the pitch, BBC News reported.
Although tear gas was fired by police to stop the offenders, the action only served to cause panic as tens of thousands of fans began pushing towards a single exit.
According to the Associated Press, at least 21 people were injured during the melee, said Gov. Andre Kimbuta, who has set up a commission to investigate the incident.
Another 10 people were crushed in the pandemonium, DR Congo's government spokesman Lambert Mende told the BBC.
"Four policemen were harassed by supporters. When they fired tear gas, the stampede began, causing the deaths," the local minister for central Kinshasa, Emmanuel Akweti, told Reuters.
The stadium was reportedly run down and packed beyond its capacity.
"Correspondents say the two clubs - the most successful in the country's recent history - are great rivals and there have been reports of trouble at their matches in the past," BBC News reported.
"The match was the final game of the domestic season. The teams are in the same group in the African Champions League and are due to play each other later this month in Lubumbashi, home city to TP Mazembe."
The violence has been condemned by the Confederation of African Football. A thorough investigation has been urged to make sure that it does not occur again.
Last month, at least 14 were crushed to death at a tribute festival for popular Congolese singer King Kester Emeneya.
