Two die in Soweto derby

Two people were killed in a stampede at the FNB stadium during the Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates yesterday.

“I can confirm the death of two people,” police spokeswoman Lorraine van Emmerik, told AFP.

She said several other people had also been injured when “a rolling mass of people were trying to get into the stadium”.

The sponsors of the pre-season match, Carling Black Label, said they were “saddened by the fatalities”.

“This incident is extremely unfortunate as solid security plans were put in place,” according to the brewer’s statement.

Match tickets were sold out two weeks before the game.

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fatalities.

The match carried on despite the tragedy at the stadium, which has an official capacity of 94 000, and was won 1-0 by Chiefs.

South African Football Association (Safa) said it was “deeply saddened by the tragedy”.

“A football match is supposed to be a place of entertainment. What happened at the FNB Stadium is very unfortunate,” Safa president Danny Jordaan, said in a statement.

The two worst football tragedies in South Africa involved matches between the same clubs — in 2001 when 43 people were killed, and in 1991, when the death toll was 42. —

A rolling mass of people were trying to get into the stadium