Ivory Coast World Cup Qualifier Crush Kills 22

At least 22 people have died in a crush at a football stadium during a World Cup qualifier in Ivory Coast.

More than 130 people were injured in the stampede at the Houphouet-Boigny arena in the West African country's city of Abidjan.

About 36,000 spectators were in the stadium, where hosts Ivory Coast beat Malawi 5-0.

The ministry of sport and the Ivorian Football Federation have confirmed the number of deaths and say the incident occurred when thousands of fans tried to squeeze into the city's main stadium. A wall collapsed, reportedly under the weight of the supporters, causing those already trying to squeeze into the stadium to panic.

The incident occurred before the game began but the fixture was allowed to go ahead, according to reports.

The BBC reported that it was packed for the return of Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who scored twice.

Hundreds of fans have died during riots and stampedes at football games across Africa over the last decade.

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