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12 Dead in Zimbabwe Soccer Stampede
Police fired tear gas at unruly fans during a World Cup qualifying soccer game Sunday between Zimbabwe and South Africa, setting off a stampede that killed 12 people. At Parirenyatwa hospital, a spokesman said four stampede victims were in critical condition, and ''many'' were injured. The incident began when fans hurled bottles and other items onto the field after South Africa scored its second goal in the game's 84th minute, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead. Police then fired tear gas at the crowd of more than 50,000, and a stampede broke out as the fans scrambled to leave the National Sports Stadium. Officials at the game were outraged by the police action, which they described as a ''total overreaction.'' The game, which South Africa officially won 2-0, was abandoned 10 minutes before it was supposed to conclude.
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