Eight die in Nagpur

Cricket

Eight spectators died and another 50 were injured during the one-day international between India and New Zealand in Nagpur yesterday.

A section of the back wall on the second level of the recently completed eastern stand at the Vidarbha Association Stadium collapsed as spectators were making their way out during the lunch interval. Three fans were killed and a further five died in hospital.

Witnesses said a three-metre wide section of the brick and mortar wall appeared to give way in the crush of people trying to leave the top level of the stand, which seats up to 3,000.

Some of the victims fell over the edge as the wall collapsed, plunging some 15 metres to the ground, while others were hit by falling debris. A spokesman said it had been decided to continue with the game because "there would have been a riot if we had suspended play".

The stadium is due to host a World Cup match between Australia and Zimbabwe in March.

n Match referee Peter Burge fined New Zealand's Roger Twose half his match fee for abusive language during the game, won by New Zealand by 99 runs.