BAMAKO - At least 36 people were killed in an overnight stampede at a stadium in Mali's capital, state radio reported on Tuesday.

Thousands of people had gathered at the Modibo Keita stadium in Bamako to listen to an Islamic preacher when the stampede started. It was not clear what sparked the stampede.

An official involved in the organisation of the event said nearly all those killed were women. Crowds of people were gathering at the hospital on Tuesday morning to identify the bodies.