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13 die in Togo stampede
20/11/2004 16:50 - (SA)
Lome - A celebration at the gates of President Gnassingbe Eyadema's palace turned into a stampede on Saturday, killing at least 13 people as excited crowds tried to surge onto palace grounds.
A government statement confirmed the 13 deaths. Officials warned the toll could climb, as hospitals treated scores of other victims.
The celebration was called to mark the easing of 11 years of European Union sanctions against Eyadema, Africa's longest-ruling leader.
Large crowds of Eyadema's party members and others marched through the capital Saturday to Eyadema's palace. When the palace gates were thrown open to admit them, the crushing throngs of celebrants tried to push through at once.
Flip-flops and men's and women's shoes, torn off in the crush, lay abandoned at the gates on Saturday after the stampede.
Fifty treated after being trampled
Aid workers still were treating at least 50 people trampled by the crowd.
The European Union announced on Monday it would resume limited aid work with Togo, supporting humanitarian and human-rights projects only.
The European Union suspended aid to Togo in 1993, after government forces allegedly killed hundreds during election violence. Most other international aid also has been suspended.
EU officials said on Monday they had noted initial moves toward democratic and human-rights reforms by Eyadema's regime, but said full aid would resume only when Togo holds free and fair legislative elections.
Government spokesperson Pitang Tchalla said organizers of Saturday's celebration "underestimated the enthusiasm of participants who turned out in unexpected large numbers for today's event, meant to express thanks to the European Union and support for President Eyadema".
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