According to local media reports, Prime Minister Christian Ntsay announced that at least 12 people were killed and 80 injured in the stampede caused by the crowd trying to enter the Barea Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games held in the capital, Antananarivo.
It was stated that about 50 thousand people tried to enter the stadium at the same time to watch the event.
Athletes from the island countries Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros Union, Mayotte, Reunion and Maldives participate in the Indian Ocean Island Games, the first of which was held in 1977 and then every 4 years.
The event, which is a multi-branch competition, will continue until September 3.