Nine dead in El Salvador stadium stampede at soccer match: police
Updated | By AFP
Nine people were killed Saturday in a stampede at an El Salvador stadium where soccer fans had gathered to watch a local tournament, police said.
"The number of deaths after the stampede at the Cuscatlan Stadium amounts to nine," the National Civil Police posted on Twitter.
The security agency also noted that "several" injured people, including at least two in critical condition, were being taken to nearby hospitals.
The police said initial reports point to a crush of fans who tried to enter the stadium in the Central American country's capital San Salvador to watch a match between teams Alianza and FAS.
El Salvador's Interior Minister Juan Carlos Bidegain said the civil protection service's first responders were on the scene and attending to people impacted by the incident.
The match was suspended as emergency personnel evacuated people from the stadium, where hundreds of police officers and soldiers gathered as ambulance sirens wailed.
Health Minister Francisco Alabi said the country's hospital network was "providing medical care to all patients" in the aftermath of the stampede.
The tragedy comes seven months after 135 people including more than 40 children died in a stampede following a football match in Malang, Indonesia.
ALSO READ
Show's Stories
-
"Is that my ear?" Barber pranks kid during haircut
Could you ever get tired of a good prank?
The Workzone with Alex Jay 2 days, 12 hours ago -
Toddler says he's allowed to bite people
A little boy answers "yes" when asked: "Are you allowed to bite people?"
The Workzone with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp 2 days, 12 hours ago