AKIPRESS.COM - At least 16 people have been crushed to death at a stadium in Madagascar during independence day celebrations, BBC reports.

Details are unclear, but authorities said the crush happened as people tried to leave the stadium after a parade and police closed the venue's doors.

Dozens more were injured at the stadium in Antananarivo, the country's capital.

Last September, a crowd surge during a football match at the same stadium killed one person and injured more than 30.

In the latest incident, thousands of people had gathered for a military parade and a concert.

News agency AFP reports that, after the parade, security officials opened the gates to allow spectators to leave.