Police and hospital authorities said today that nine people died and 78 were injured as fans stampeded out of overcrowded Independence Stadium.
Hospital officials said the earlier death count of 15 was incorrect. Several unconscious fans had been presumed dead on arrival at emergency facilities after Sunday's World Cup qualifying match.A crowd of around 40,000 in the 30,000-seat stadium watched Zambia beat Sudan 3-0 in a preliminary qualifying round for the 1998 World Cup.
Don Mwape, spokesman at the main Lusaka Teaching Hospital, said 18 of the injured fans were still hospitalized today, with one in critical condition He said the nine dead suffocated or sustained severe internal injuries.
President Frederick Chiluba, officials of the Football Association of Zambia and most of the crowd had already moved out of the stadium and were not aware of the stampede.
The Football Association was expected to shoulder much of the blame for overcrowding the antiquated stadium built for celebrations marking the nation's independence from British colonial rule 32 years ago.
Police Inspector General Francis Ndlovu said one survivor caught in the crush indicated a bomb scare contributed to the panic.
"Someone shouted there was a bomb as the gates were being opened," Ndlovu said.
In recent weeks, three sabotage bombings have been targeted at government facilities to protest government policies. Before Sunday's match, fans were searched by armed police.