At least twelve dead after mass panic in football stadium

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At least 12 people have been killed in a stampede at a football stadium in El Salvador. Hundreds of people were also injured, police and rescuers said on Saturday. Authorities announced investigations into the circumstances of the tragedy.

“Salvador football is in mourning,” police director Mauricio Arriaza told reporters, confirming the preliminary death toll of 12. According to initial information, fans trying to get to the stadium in the capital San Salvador to watch a football match between the Alianza and FAS teams started the stampede.

The rush to the stadium apparently began after a stadium gate collapsed, sparking a crowd, said Comandos de Salvamento rescue service spokesman Carlos Fuentes. His team currently treats more than 500 people. About a hundred people in serious condition were hospitalized.

Sandra Guzman, 40, said when she was released from a hospital in the capital on Sunday it was “the first and last time” she had visited a stadium. “A large crowd fell upon me. I couldn’t even breathe.”

Infantino expressed his condolences

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said on Twitter that the Attorney General’s Office and the National Police will investigate the incident and those responsible, “whoever they are,” will be punished. “Everyone is checked: teams, managers, stadium, ticket offices, league, association,” said Bukele.

Police Director Arriaza said police wanted to know why the fans decided to break through one of the targets on the south side of the stadium. There were problems with the QR readers at the checkout.

The Salvadoran Football Association Fesfut also announced an investigation and expressed its “solidarity” with the families of the victims. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the incident “tragic” and sent his condolences to the family. (AFP/Mom)

Source : Blick