The Asawase Community Centre will be closed to the public during the Eid al-Fitr, authorities have announced.

The Asokore Mampong Municipal Security Council and the Council of Imams and Zongo Chiefs in the Ashanti Region say the decision has become necessary following a stampede that claimed nine lives and injured several others at the facility last year during the Eid celebration.

Residents in the area have lauded the decision and, however, called on authorities to ensure the directive is complied with.

Last year, nine people lost their lives in a stampede at the centre during Eid celebrations to commemorate the end of the month-long fasting during Ramadan on the dawn of Thursday July 7.

The dead comprised six females and three males.

The rush to exit the community centre which had only one exit door opened, following the breakout of a fight among some revellers, led to the deaths as well as several injuries.