At least 12 people died and several were injured in a stampede, During the opening ceremony of the 11th Indian Ocean Islands games, at the Barea stadium in Madagascar.
According to police sources, the incident occurred at one of the entrances to the stadium, as members of the public were making their way inside to watch the ceremony.
The injured were rushed to hospital where they are currently being treated. Emergency services and the police are on site.
Outside the stadium, the crowd was slow to disperse.
Once calm had returned, people had to retrieve their shoes and personal belongings scattered on the ground.