2009 Houphouët-Boigny stampede
Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium location of the stampede | |
| Date | 29 March 2009 |
|---|---|
| Location | Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| Cause | Stampede |
| Deaths | 19 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 135 |
The 2009 Houphouët-Boigny stampede occurred on 29 March 2009 in the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast before a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Malawi and Ivory Coast. Nineteen people were killed and 135 were injured. In an attempt to control a crowd crush, police fired tear gas into the crowds, who had begun jostling with each other at least 40 minutes before kick off. The match was particularly popular among locals, with world stars such as Didier Drogba, Sol Bamba and Salomon Kalou due to play for Ivory Coast.