Three football fans have been killed in a tragic stadium incident in Algeria. More than 70 other supporters are said to be injured following the match between MC Alger and NC Magra at the Stade du 5 Juillet.
The game finished 0-0, meaning MC Alger retained their league title. That sparked euphoric celebrations, but the post-match party duly descended into tragedy. According to local reports, a large number of people fell from the top tier of the 64,200 capacity ground after a security barrier broke.
In a released statement, the Algerian Ministry of Health said: “The Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people, while three deaths were recorded. Ben Aknoun Hospital also received 27 injured people, while Bab El Oued Hospital received 16.”
Players and staff members from MC Alger reportedly went to the hospitals to donate blood to help patients. The club have also confirmed the name of one of the fans killed.
They wrote: “It is with great sadness and sorrow and with hearts that we received the news of our supporter Younes Amguzzi, who passed away after falling from the upper stands.”
League and club officials duly postponed the planned trophy presentation as medical staff and vehicles rushed to the scene. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has since offered his condolences to everyone involved.
The venue was named after the date Algeria declared independence in July 1962. It previously accommodated 110,000 spectators in an international friendly match between Algeria and Serbia in 2010.
However, after being forced to comply with current safety standards in football, the stadium has since been reduced to a 64,200 capacity. Prior to this tragedy, proposals were in place to safely expand the stadium back up to an 80,000 capacity.