Côte d'Ivoire: 60 children killed in stampedes during New Year fireworks

The children, aged between 8 and 15, were killed in a stampede at a stadium during a firework display.

AT LEAST 60 children are reported to have been killed, and up to 200 more injured, after stampedes in the Côte d’Ivoire during celebrations to mark the New Year.

The country’s official news agency AIP said the casualties were aged between 8 and 15, according to CNN.

It said the stampede had occurred at about 1am, near a stadium in the Plateau area of Abidjan, and said the children were mostly locals.

AIP’s reports said fire service rescuers had arrived at the scene two hours later, but could not save the victims, AIP said.

Abidjan is the country’s largest city and its former capital, with a population of over 5 million.

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