Fans who survived a deadly stadium stampede in Cote d'Ivoire blamed police March 30 for the tragedy, saying security forces provoked the panic by tear-gassing people who had nowhere to run.

World soccer body FIFA called for a prompt investigation into the March 29 stampede at Abidjan's Felix Houphouet-Boigny arena that left 19 people dead and injured more than 130.

Tens of thousands of fans turned out to see star striker Didier Drogba, who plays for English Premier League club Chelsea, as the home team squared off against Malawi in a World Cup qualifying match. Interior Minister Desire Tagro said on state TV that fans outside the stadium started pushing and shoving before the game began, setting off the panic. But witnesses said that as fans tried to get into the stadium, police fired tear gas into the crowd, setting off the stampede.

The game took place despite the deaths and Cote d'Ivoire won 5-0.