A stampede outside a stadium in Cameroon’s capital hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match left at least eight people dead and more than 35 injured.

“Eight deaths were recorded, two women in their 30s, four men in their 30s, one child, one body taken away by the family,” according to a preliminary health ministry report on Tuesday.

Communications Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi said the stampede injured at least 38 people, including seven in serious condition.

The Confederation of African Football, which runs the continent’s flagship competition, said it was “investigating the situation and trying to get more details on what transpired”.

On Monday, crowds attempted to enter the Yaounde Olembe stadium, which has a capacity of 60,000, to watch Africa’s top football tournament.

While attendance at the tournament is limited to 60 percent stadium capacity because of coronavirus restrictions, the cap is 80 percent for matches involving the national team.

Following the low turnout in the first-round games at brand new stadiums built for AFCON, Cameroon authorities have thrown open stadium gates, organized mass transport, and given out free tickets to lure fans.