The bodies of 47 people killed in a stampede at a South African football match are being identified by relatives today.
South African President Mr Thabo Mbeki has ordered an inquiry into the tragedy at the match last night between the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.
At least 27 bodies lay strewn on the field after the match was called off and an official at the park announced that seven people had been killed in the mayhem.
` Today the bodies have been laid out on the pitch to allow relatives to identify them.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation has reported that too many tickets had been sold for the match. People outside tried to push into the stadium and were trapped against barbed wire.
But some witnesses have reported the game had been running smoothly until a member of the Pirates scored a goal late in the first half to tie the game at 1-1.
Emergency vehicles outside the stadium were unable to move amid the soccer traffic.
Police had earlier fired tear gas at people stampeding outside the stadium.
Several fans at the stadium told 702 radio the stadium had been vastly overcrowded and seemed to have inadequate security to handle the problem.
PA
