At least 17 die as crowds try to push their way into ground after failing to gain entry prior to kick off, a state news agency said

At least 17 people have died in a stampede at an Angolan football match when hundreds of supporters stormed the stadium gates, a medical official said.

The crowd in the northern city of Uíge pushed against barriers after failing to gain entry before the start of the match, state news agency Angop said. Many fell and were trampled, it added.

Ernesto Luis, director general of the local hospital, told Reuters people had suffocated in the crush.

“Some people had to walk on top of other people,” he said. “There were 76 casualties, of whom 17 died.” Five of the injured were in a serious condition.

Witnesses said the crowd trying to gain access would have taken the stadium past its 8,000 capacity.

“When we wanted to go in, we found a barrier,” said 37-year-old fan João Silva, who suffered a broken foot. “The first row of people fell down ... I was in the third layer [of people].”

Domingos Vika, 35, who broke a hand, added: “When they gave the opportunity for everyone to come in, we were all packed at the gate already.”

The match between Santa Rita de Cássia and Libolo was part of Angola’s first division championship.

Police and football officials were not immediately available for comment.

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