Police Arrest Fans Who Dug Open DJ Arafat's Coffin [VIDEO]

Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the chaos that led to the forceful digging and opening of DJ Arafat’s coffin in Ivory Coast.

It’s quite unclear as to why these people who referred to themselves as his fans took that step. From the video on social media, these people dug out to undress the late musician’s body and check for tattoos in an effort to identify him.

The incident took place on Saturday following an overnight funeral concert at Abidjan’s main stadium, where tens of thousands paid tribute to the singer who died aged 33 in a motorbike crash last month.

Events took a dark turn when fans tried to enter the Williamsville cemetery where the singer’s family had given him a private burial, prompting clashes with police. Several made it past security, forced open the fresh grave and coffin, and took photos and videos they then shared on social media.

Police fired teargas to disperse the crowd and several people were injured, witnesses told AFP.

“A probe has been opened and will be made public,” the state prosecutor, Richard Adou, said.

Abidjan’s prefecture, meanwhile, confirmed that 12 people had been detained following the incident.

DJ Arafat was one of the most popular African musicians in the Francophone world, and had been referred to as the “king” of coupé-décalé (cut and run), an Ivorian form of dance music.

He came to symbolise the flashy, well-dressed lifestyle associated with the music, which features fast percussion, deep bass and hip hop-style vocals.