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Three fans dead and over 80 injured in tragic football stadium disaster
Three fans dead and over 80 injured in tragic football stadium disaster
A horrific stadium disaster in Algeria, has resulted in three football fans being killed and dozens more injured in horrifying scenes in the North African country
A huge stadium tragedy has unfolded in Algeria
(Image: RYAD KRAMDI, AFP via Getty Images )
Three football supporters lost their lives and over 80 were injured following a horrific stadium disaster in Algeria.
The incident took place in the city of Algiers, during a match between MC Alger and NC Magra at the Stade du 5 Juillet, which holds 64,200 people. The clash ended in a goalless draw, but the result saw MC Alger clinch the league title, prompting huge celebrations in the stands.
However, these scenes turned into a picture of horror, as reports from local sources claimed a security barrier gave way causing numerous individuals to fall from the top tier of the stadium.
Footage from El Heddaf TV appears to show a section of railing that ended up collapsing onto the lower tier of the stadium as the tragedy unfolded.
The Algerian Ministry of Health released a statement that 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."
In an act of solidarity, members of MC Alger went to local hospitals offering blood donations for the injured. Additionally, the club confirmed the identity of one supporter who was killed, writing: "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.
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"The board of directors, all members of management, all the team and players, come forward with sincere condolences and the most sincere condolences to all the family members of the deceased and their family."
Around 64,200 fans can be held in the stadium
(Image: Getty )
The league trophy ceremony was postponed while emergency teams rushed to provide aid. In light of the incident, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune conveyed his sympathies to those affected in a post on X.
He wrote: "Following the painful incident that befell the supporters of MC Alger at the Stade du 5 Juillet, I can only pray for the soul of the deceased supporter. May God have mercy on him and grant him a place in his vast paradise.
"We offer our condolences to his family, his fellow supporters and the MC Alger team. I pray for the recovery of those injured in the incident and their swift return to their loved ones."
The incident took place at the Stade du 5 Juillet
(Image: Getty )
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It's also believed that President Tebboune has reached out to the families of the three people that were killed at the football match.
The stadium, named in honour of Algeria's declaration of independence in July 1962, once held a staggering 110,000 spectators during an international friendly match between Algeria and Serbia in 2010.
However, due to the enforcement of modern safety standards in football, the capacity has been downsized to 64,200. Before this unfortunate incident, there were plans underway to safely increase the stadium's capacity back up to 80,000.
