Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the cause of a stampede ahead of a rapper's concert at an Algiers sports stadium that left five youths dead, including a 13-year-old.
The prosecutor's office in Sidi M'Hamed said in a statement on Friday that an inquiry to determine the circumstances of the drama the night before was being opened.
The TSA online news site said that a stampede erupted at the entrance to the stadium that killed five people aged 13 to 22. The concert by Algerian rapper Soolking had not yet started.
Men lie on the ground during Algerian rap artist Abderraouf Derradji's concert, known as Soolking, at a stadium in Algiers, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. The concert caused some deaths and injuries in a stampede as fans thronged an entrance at the rap concert in the Algerian capital. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)
The site quoted civil defense spokesman Khaled Benkhelfallah as saying that 86 others were rescued. He said he knew nothing of the circumstances that led to the stampede.
People are being tended by rescue workers during Algerian rap artist Abderraouf Derradji's concert, known as Soolking, at a stadium in Algiers, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. The concert caused some deaths and injuries in a stampede as fans thronged an entrance at the rap concert in the Algerian capital. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)
A man is evacuated during Algerian rap artist Abderraouf Derradji's concert, known as Soolking, at a stadium in Algiers, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. The concert caused some deaths and injuries in a stampede as fans thronged an entrance at the rap concert in the Algerian capital. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)
Algerian rap artist Abderraouf Derradji, known as Soolking, performs during a concert at a stadium in Algiers, Thursday, April 22, 2019. The concert caused some deaths and injuries in a stampede as fans thronged an entrance at the rap concert in the Algerian capital. (AP PhotoFateh Guidoum)