Senegal: Mayor vows action after roof collapse at Mbacké’s Ibrahima Gueye Stadium

Seventeen people were injured and significant property damage caused when strong winds tore off the roof of the Ibrahima Gueye Stadium in Mbacké on Friday, just months after its inauguration.

The stadium, officially opened on 28 January 2024, suffered extensive structural damage during the violent weather.

Vehicles and motorcycles parked near the facility were also damaged in the incident, which left the arena unusable for the foreseeable future.

On Saturday, the mayor of Mbacké, Gallo Bâ, visited the site to assess the destruction and check on those injured.

His visit included stops at local medical facilities, where victims of the collapse were receiving treatment.

Speaking after his inspection, Mr Bâ expressed deep concern over the state of the stadium and pledged decisive action to prevent similar incidents.

Responsibilities will be determined, and all necessary measures will be taken to ensure this never happens again, he stated.

The mayor also emphasised the need for an immediate safety review of the city’s sporting infrastructure, highlighting the importance of safeguarding spectators and athletes alike.

The collapse, coming so soon after the stadium’s inauguration, has sparked questions over construction standards, maintenance procedures, and the ability of public venues to withstand extreme weather conditions.

The damage has thrown into doubt the continuation of the Navétanes competitions, a popular series of community football events, which were scheduled to take place at the venue.

Organisers now face the challenge of finding an alternative location to avoid disruption to the tournament schedule.

Local residents, still shaken by the event, have voiced both relief that the injuries were not more severe and frustration at the loss of their new stadium.

The incident has reignited discussions on the need for more resilient infrastructure in regions prone to sudden weather shifts.

As investigations continue, engineers are expected to conduct a detailed structural assessment to determine the cause of the failure and provide recommendations for reconstruction or reinforcement.

Meanwhile, the municipality has indicated it will work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that when the stadium reopens, it meets the highest safety standards.

For now, Mbacké’s sporting community remains in limbo, awaiting both the findings of the inquiry and decisions on the future of the Ibrahima Gueye Stadium.