Huge crowds of mourners in Kenya fled screaming after police fired gunshots and tear gas in a stadium where they had gathered to see the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Several people at the arena, located in the capital Nairobi, were reportedly injured in the chaos as security officers sought to disperse the surging crowds.
It is not yet clear whether the police were using live ammunition or rubber bullets.
Odinga’s body was flown back from India, where he died on Wednesday morning. Thousands of supporters had earlier travelled to the country’s main airport to receive the coffin, in an outpouring of grief that forced a brief halt to flights.
The authorities said mourners had gained access to restricted areas, prompting a “precautionary closure” that lasted about two hours. From the airport, thousands of people moved in a procession to escort the vehicle carrying the body to the stadium, about 10km (six miles) from the city centre.
Because of the unexpectedly large crowds, the public viewing ceremony for Odinga’s body was moved to Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre in the Kasarani neighbourhood, rather than inside the parliament building where it was initially scheduled to take place.
The convoy arrived to a packed stadium, with more people waiting outside.
Minutes afterwards, a large crowd breached a gate in the arena, prompting the police to fire tear gas. Masses of mourners rushed towards the exits in response.
A BBC reporter at the scene also saw men in civilian clothing beating protesters with batons.
At least three people were visibly injured and one had a serious head wound, the AFP news agency reported.
After the chaos settled, government officials and dignitaries were able to observe the coffin. A public viewing then began in the evening.
Credit: bbc.com
