KARUNA SHINSHO, ASIA TONIGHT: The government of Ghana is investigating a stadium stampede that killed 126 people and injured hundreds. As Charlayne Hunter-Gault reports, it's the latest in a string of similar tragedies.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The winner - this will be the winner.</s>CHARLAYNE HUNTER-GAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For a moment, this goal was a sweet victory. Thousands of fans erupted in joy when reigning league champion Hearts of Oak defeated archrivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko by 2-1. But in no time the mood had shifted, as fans of the opposing teams clashed and began hurling seats onto the pitch. Police rushed in, firing tear gas to subdue the crowd. But the stinging gas caused panic as fans charged toward the gates, crushing and suffocating many along the way - only to find the gates locked in the 40,000 capacity stadium. Relatives and friends were soon attempting to identify the dead, as some 53 injured fans were removed to Accra's military hospital. Scores of other tearful relatives and friends of the victims waited there for news of their loved ones. Ghanaian president John Kufuor visited the military hospital and was reported to be totally devastated. The government announced it was setting up a commission of inquiry. Similar tragedies over the past year at soccer matches in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Congo also resulted in more than 60 deaths. In each case, tear gas was used to try and subdue unruly crowds but only added to the panic. Charlayne Hunter-Gault, CNN, Johannesburg.
Ghana's Government Investigates Stadium Stampede