At least a dozen people were killed and nearly 100 others injured in a stampede at a soccer match in El Salvador.
“Twelve persons lost their lives and I simply would like to express, of course, my condolences to all the people of El Salvador for this tragic incident,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Sunday.
The tragedy occurred at a quarterfinal match between Alianza FC and Club Deportivo FAS at Cuscatlan Stadium in San Salvador on Saturday night.
A group of Alianza fans smashed their way through a gate to the stadium, according to authorities. Fans who spoke with local media said only two entrances were open ahead of the playoff match between two of El Salvador’s most popular clubs.
“There were only two gates open in the entire stadium and the people who were outside wanted to force their way in, and they all fell on top of us,” one fan told La Prensa Grafica.
While chaos unfolded outside and around the stadium, the match began on time and the first 16 minutes were played without a problem. After that, however, fans began spilling onto the field to avoid the crush, and play was halted.
“It was an avalanche of fans who overran the gate. Some were still under the metal in the tunnel. Others managed to make it to the stands and then to the field and were smothered,” a volunteer first aid worker said.
El Salvador authorities said too many tickets were sold to the match, while local media outlets reported that some fans had actually bought fake tickets and tried to force their way into the stadium.
Political and football association leaders in the country promised to investigate the incident, and President Nayib Bukele said “teams, managers, stadiums, ticket offices, league, federation, etc.” would all be probed.
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“Whoever the culprits are, they will not go unpunished,” he said.
With News Wire Services