Two stampedes in Africa kill 71 people.

On January 1st, at least 61 people died in a stampede during a New Year's fireworks display in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. In Angola, at least 10 people also died in a stampede.

AP quoted a witness as saying the stampede occurred after a fireworks display at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium. Many people present joined in chasing a pickpocket, causing chaos that forced police to erect barriers to intervene.

However, these barriers caused congestion among the crowds trying to leave. The stampede occurred after several people fell and the crowd panicked, according to a witness.

The Abidjan Fire Department chief, Issa Sacko, said 61 people were killed and 49 injured. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has declared it a national tragedy and ordered an investigation into the cause of the incident.

In 2009, a stampede also occurred at a stadium in the capital Abidjan, killing 18 people.

Meanwhile, in another African country, Angola, at least 10 people were killed and 120 injured when they tried to crowd into a stadium for a prayer service on the night of December 31, according to Reuters.

Organizers said the number of people attending the prayer service exceeded the expected 70,000, causing the stadium to become overcrowded. At least four children were trampled to death at the stadium entrances, according to witnesses.

Angolan authorities are currently investigating the incident.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT