Deadly stampede breaks out at Basra stadium. This is something which happens every year in different countries.
Two people have been killed after a stampede broke out outside a football stadium in Iraq hours before the Gulf Cup final between Iraq and Oman, which was due to kick off at 7pm (16:00 GMT).
In a tweet, al-Sudani said: “Our people in Basra and in all the cities of Iraq, thanks to your kindness, generosity and patience, you have reflected the bright and spotless image of the pride of the Iraqis.”
“You have contributed over the past days to representing our dear country in the best way, in a way that befits its history and its status among nations,” he posted.
He called on citizens to “provide assistance and support” to authorities on the ground to “show the final of the 25th Gulf Cup in the most beautiful way”.
“The numbers of fans are very large, and we do not want there to be cases of suffocation, and the pressure will be doubled on the security forces,” the Iraqi News Agency (INA) quoted Major General Saad Maan as saying
Maan called on the fans to “commit to the regulations and instructions issued by the security forces” and said it was possible to watch the match in public spaces.
“Joy cannot be complete, and there can be no winning except with the safety of citizens,” he added.
