2 Jan 2011

10 killed in stampede at South African bar

6:43 am on 2 January 2011

Ten people have been killed in a stampede in a bar in a South African township during a New Year's Eve celebration.

The victims were crushed during a disturbance in a bar in the early hours of the morning.

The stampede is thought to have happened after a fight broke out in the busy bar, causing panicked patrons to rush towards the only door, the BBC reports.

People had gathered to see in the new year in the Ipelegeng Township, about 200km west of Johannesburg.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that 10 people have been found dead at the scene. Most are believed to be aged between 18 and 25.