Children among nine killed in panic over New Year's Eve fireworks at mall

In what should have been a magical evening at the Freedom City Mall, huge crowds gathered to try to honor the turn of the new year

Nine people were killed in a horrific stampede at a Ugandan shopping mall last night (

Image: Twitter/Jesseabisheck)

Children were among nine victims crushed in a stampede at a shopping mall in Uganda on New Year's Eve.

The tragedy occurred last night at the Freedom City Mall after huge crowds gathered to honor the arrival of January 1, 2023.

Locals watched the clock intently as they waited for it to strike midnight, but as fireworks whistled through the air, the crowd erupted in a stampede.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire says police are investigating an 'incident of rash and neglect' which 'resulted in the deaths of nine people, including several young people' .

"The incident is alleged to have occurred at midnight when the MC of the event encouraged attendees to come out and watch the fireworks.

The crush happened after the MC told people to go outside to watch the fireworks (

Picture:

Twitter/Jesseabishek)