Focus

Nine die in Uganda New Year stampede

01 Jan 2023 05:57pm
Fireworks light up the sky as people react while they celebrate after counting down to the new year at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan 1, 2023. - (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA / AFP)
Fireworks light up the sky as people react while they celebrate after counting down to the new year at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Kampala, Uganda, on Jan 1, 2023. - (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA / AFP)

KAMPALA, UGANDA - At least nine people died in a shopping mall crush as revellers rang in the New Year in Uganda's capital on Sunday, police said.

After fireworks outside the Freedom City mall in Kampala, "a stampede ensued, resulting in the instant deaths of five people and injuries to several others," police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said.

"Emergency responders arrived on the scene and transported the injured individuals to the hospital, where nine were confirmed dead."

Owoyesigyire said "juveniles" were among the victims, without providing further details on their ages.

He said "rash" acts and "negligence" had led to the tragedy.

The celebrations to welcome in 2023 were the first in the east African country in three years, after restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and security issues. - AFP

new year
uganda
stampede
More Like This
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev - BERNAMA FILE PIX
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev - BERNAMA FILE PIX
World State Commission convenes to investigate Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash causes
​​​​​​​The commission addressed several urgent issues, including providing necessary assistance to those injured in the accident.
Emergency specialists work at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Dec 25, 2024. - Photo: EPA
Emergency specialists work at the crash site of a passenger plane near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Dec 25, 2024. - Photo: EPA
World Azerbaijan declares national mourning over air crash tragedy
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an official order to observe the day of mourning in response to the tragedy on Wednesday.
The new framework, known as the "timescape" hypothesis, posits that differences in gravitational effects across cosmic structures influence the perception of time and space. - Photo source: Nasa via Bernama
The new framework, known as the "timescape" hypothesis, posits that differences in gravitational effects across cosmic structures influence the perception of time and space. - Photo source: Nasa via Bernama
World Scientists challenge dark energy theory, offer new model for universe's expansion
The research, based on enhanced light-curve analysis of "type Ia supernovae," suggests the universe expands in a "lumpy" and uneven manner rather than uniformly.
Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip on Dec 22, 2024. - (Photo by Gil Cohen M / Xinhua)
Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip on Dec 22, 2024. - (Photo by Gil Cohen M / Xinhua)
World UN relief chief declares Gaza the most dangerous place for aid delivery
Less than a year later, the sustained intensity of violence means that there is nowhere that civilians in Gaza are safe. Schools, hospitals and civilian infrastructure have been reduced to rubble.