News / Africa
Eleven people killed in Nigeria election rally stampede
12 Feb 2011 at 21:59hrs | Views
Eleven people have died in a stampede at an election rally in Nigeria.
The rally in the southern city of Port Harcourt was part of President Goodluck Jonathan's election campaign ahead of a poll due in April.
At least 29 others are said to have been injured at the rally, which was held in a crowded sports stadium.
President Jonathan has ordered an investigation and said the incident was "sad, unfortunate and regrettable," adding: "I mourn with those who mourn."
The crowd panicked after a policeman fired in the air to try to disperse crowds at the gates as people left the rally, according to witnesses.
"There was a huge crowd, the place was completely full," Ken Saro-Wiwa, President Jonathan's special assistant on international affairs, told Reuters news agency.
"It is a sad end to what had been a great day," said Mr Saro-Wiwa.
President Jonathan, whose People's Democratic Party have won every presidential vote since the return to civilian rule in 1999, is favourite to win April's election.
The rally in the southern city of Port Harcourt was part of President Goodluck Jonathan's election campaign ahead of a poll due in April.
At least 29 others are said to have been injured at the rally, which was held in a crowded sports stadium.
President Jonathan has ordered an investigation and said the incident was "sad, unfortunate and regrettable," adding: "I mourn with those who mourn."
"There was a huge crowd, the place was completely full," Ken Saro-Wiwa, President Jonathan's special assistant on international affairs, told Reuters news agency.
"It is a sad end to what had been a great day," said Mr Saro-Wiwa.
President Jonathan, whose People's Democratic Party have won every presidential vote since the return to civilian rule in 1999, is favourite to win April's election.
Source - Byo24NEWS
