(Photo: CGTN)

Madagascar’s independence day celebration turned deadly when a stampede in the stadium in the nation’s capital killed at least 16 people and injured no less than 80 Wednesday night.

Thousands of people had gathered for a military parade and a concert marking 59 years of independence.

Just before the start of an appearance of the popular artist Rossy, the crowds surged causing the deaths from trampling, said the national police. Some 80 people were injured.

“The show was about to start and people heard that they could enter the stadium but the police had left the doors closed. People tried to force the doors but they remained closed. The crowd kept pushing. People fell and at least 15 have died,” said Gen. Richard Ravalomanana, in charge of the National Gendarmerie.

The death toll is likely to increase because several of the wounded are in critical condition, said Professor Olivat Rakoto Alson, director of Joseph Ravoahangy Andrianavalona Hospital, where the dead and injured were taken.

This is the second recent deadly incident at the stadium. In September 2018 during a soccer match between Madagascar and Senegal, a crowd stampede at the entrance of the stadium killed one person and injured 37.

President Andry Rajoelina later visited victims in hospital and told reporters that the state would cover the medical costs of those injured.