At least 17 people are understood to have lost their lives after being caught up in a football stadium stampede in Angola.





The ​BBC reports that the accident is thought to have occurred when supporters, who had been refused entry into the already full ground, stormed the gates and charged into the arena.

BREAKING: Portuguese news agency Lusa says 17 people have been killed in a stampede at a football stadium in Angola. — The Associated Press (@AP) February 10, 2017

Hundreds more are said to have been injured in the accident, with medical officers at the scene suggesting that those who lost their lives are likely to have fallen and been subsequently suffocated in and amongst the stampede.





​ Santa Rita de Cassia were hosting Recreativo do Libolo in a first division league match at the Janaury 4th stadium, which is said to have a maximum capacity of roughly 8000.





Reports in the Angolan press suggest that some of the dead are believed to be children, whilst at least five of those injured are thought to be in a serious condition.

RIP to the 17 fans who have died during a stampede inside the stadium at a football match in Angola. pic.twitter.com/QuXZKaTEX3 — Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) February 11, 2017

Ernesto Luis, director general of a local hospital who has helped treat the injured, gave Reuters news agency the current casualty rate, although it is thought to be much higher.





He said: "Some people had to walk on top of other people. There were 76 casualties, of whom 17 died,"





Angola's President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, has now reportedly ordered an investigation into the accident, which has been called "a tragedy without precedent in the history of Angolan football" in a statement on the Recreativo de Libolo website.

At least 17 people have been killed in a stampede at a football stadium in Angola https://t.co/hFQxqFHIYO pic.twitter.com/rfPeKZx5Ay — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 11, 2017



