Interim report blames safety measures, design for Ghana tragedy

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) An interim report on Ghana's deadliest soccer stampede put much of the blame Wednesday on "inadequate safety measures and poor structural planning" at the Accra stadium.

The stampede broke out May 9 after police fired tear gas to quell rowdy fans at the Accra Sports Stadium.

One hundred twenty-six people were suffocated or crushed to death in the panic that followed.

"Inadequate safety measures and poor structural planning at the stadium greatly contributed to the tragic incident," a government-appointed commission concluded in its interim report.

The findings cite "serious fraudulent practices within the general security system" at the stadium. The report also reviews first-aid measures and policing.

The Associated Press obtained the excerpts from Sam Okudjeto, head of the five-member inquiry. Okudjeto said no other details of the interim findings would be made public for now.

Authorities did not say when the final report would be released.

The soccer association announced an indefinite ban on league matches in the West African country following the disaster.