9 die in Ismailia military academy stampede

Nine civilians died and at least five others were injured on Tuesday while visiting cadets at a military academy in the central Suez Canal governorate of Ismailia.

Reports indicate that a large throng of relatives had gathered outside the gates of Ismailia’s military academy in Tal al-Kabir awaiting entry during morning visitation hours, but as personnel opened the gates there was a stampede to get in.

Agence France Presse reported that those injured in the crush suffered from minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital.

Local media outlets suggested there may have been more injuries than were originally reported.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, military spokesperson Mohamed Samir said the stampede was the result of “heavy crowding around the exterior gates,” which was in violation of the military academy’s safety regulations.

“The Armed Forces sends its utmost condolences to the families and relatives of the victims,” Samir said, adding that the military is closely monitoring the condition of the injured.