El Salvador: Some fans dead, and more than 100 injured in stampede at Football Stadium

Saturday’s night, atleast 12 died and more than 100 injured in stampede at Soccer Stadium, where two most El Salvador popular football teams had been facing off in quarterfinals of Country’s premier division. Investigation ahead.

May 21, 2023 - 08:44
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El Salvador: Some fans dead, and more than 100 injured in stampede at Football Stadium
12 dead and more than 100 injured in stampede during Alianza and FAS quarterfinals clash. (Milton Flores/ AP)

Saturday’s night stampede at Cuscatlan Football Stadium resulted in death of 12 people and injury of more than 100.

“The number of deaths after the stampede at the Cuscatlan stadium amounts to nine”, the National Civil Police posted earlier on Twitter.

 Initially, the death toll was reported to be nine, but later local media revised toll to 12 people.

More than 100 people were injured, and they were taken to the hospitals and medical centers in San Salvador, El Salvador Capital City, where tragedy took place. 

El Salvador’s Health Minister, Francisco Alabi, tweeted that the government had deployed medical teams for injured to be transferred to the hospitals for emergence treatments. 

The incident took place during the match between El Salvador most popular teams, Alianza and FAS, which had been facing off in quarterfinals of the Country’s premier division. 

Consequently, the match was suspended with around 10 minutes played. BBC reported.

The stampede began when a large number of fans tried to enter the stadium after gates had been closed.

“It was an avalanche of fans who overran the gate,” a volunteer with the Rescue Commandos first aid group told journalists.

President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele tweeted “… Everyone will be investigated: teams, Stadium, Ticket office, league, federation, etc. whoever the culprits are, they will not go unpunished.”

Authorities said, they are also looking into the oversale of tickets for the match between Alianza and FAS.

The Salvadoran Football Federation said they “deeply regrets the events that occurred at the Cuscatlan Stadium.” “It also stands in solidarity with the families of those affected and killed in this incident.”

Criminal investigation ahead.