12 people dead in a football stadium crash in El Salvador
At least twelve people are dead after a crush at a football arena in the city of El Salvador, San Salvador, officials have confirmed.
The incident happened during a game between local club Alianza and the Santa Ana-based team Fas at Cuscatlán Stadium in El Salvador.
The game was later suspended.
President Nayib Bukele depicted the event as “unusual” and said a “thorough investigation” would be undertaken. Cops had earlier stated that seven males and two females were among the dead, with all the people over the age of 18.
The disaster reportedly happened after a large number of fans attempted to enter the field after the gates had been locked. Officials think some fans had been given fake tickets and said an inquiry was underway.
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A video shared by local press shows fans trying to pull down barriers at the stadium’s gate.
A live stream of the match shared on YouTube shows the game suspended after alleged unrest in the stands. People are subsequently seen being taken away by emergency assistance on stretchers.
Fans are even seen waving their shirts at people on the fields to try and cool them down.
“It was an avalanche of fans who invaded the gate,” a recruit with the Rescue Commandos first aid group told reporters. “Several were still under the metal in the underpass. Others made it to the seats and then to the field and were smothered.”
Source – BBC
