Fifa's World Cup pledge

An injured fan is taken to hospital by helicopter

South Africa's chances of hosting the 2010 World Cup have been hit by the death of at least 43 football fans at Ellis Park.

But world governing body Fifa has not necessarily dismissed the idea of the tournament being held in the country, which lost out on the bid to stage the 2006 event.

This is a tragedy of considerable proportions but as far as 2010 is concerned it is still a long time away

  Fifa's Keith Cooper

Fifa's director of communications, Keith Cooper, also told BBC Five Live: "I don't think we should rush to condemn South Africa just because it's South Africa."

In Johannesburg, the chief executive officer of the South African Football Association (Safa) Danny Jordaan also said that the tragedy would not affect the country's plans to bid for the 2010 World Cup.

"We are only going to officially launch at the World Cup finals in Asia next year, so it's is still a very long way off," he said.

Lessons

Danny Jordaan: "This was a tragic incident that is not good for the image of our soccer"

A spokesman for the Fifa President Sepp Blatter expressed sorrow over the tragedy.

"The president and the whole of the FIFA family are deeply distressed by the tragedy in South Africa and are in mourning along with all the families affected by the events," the spokesman said.

Keith Cooper also said lessons must be learnt.

"This is a tragedy of considerable proportions. Four dozen people have been killed and it's being taken extremely seriously, but as far as 2010 is concerned it is still a long time away," he said.

"There are lessons to be learned and hopefully we can put it right, just as was the case in England after the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy," Keith Cooper added.

Sometimes it is not as organized as you see it in countries that are more experienced in football

  South Africa goalkeeper Hans Vonk

In South Africa, the football authorities are meeting on Thursday to discuss the tragedy and its implications.

"This was a tragic incident that is not good for the image of our soccer but we will be able to learn and make sure the mistakes never happen again," said Danny Jordaan.

"There is no way we can allow this fixture to be played at night in future. It is too dangerous," he added.

Surging

In a haunting repeat of the Hillsborough tragedy, when 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives before an FA Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest, perimeter fences around the Ellis Park pitch prevented fans from escaping the melee.

The stampede is believed to have been triggered by ticket-less supporters outside the stadium surging to get in after barriers had been pulled down.

South Africa goalkeeper Hans Vonk says he has been surprised by the flow of the crowd into the stadium when he has been on international duty.

"When I was playing a qualification game with the national side, the stadium was nearly empty when the game started," said the Heerenveen goalkeeper.

"But when we were half way through the game, it was absolutely packed.

"I don't know if security weakens at some stage, but sometimes it is not as organized as you see it in countries that are more experienced in football."

The capacity at Ellis Park is 68,000, but initial reports estimate that 120,000 people turned up for the derby match.

The game, between the country's two most popular sides, was stopped after 30 minutes with the score at 1-1.