Fifa issues statement after football stadium stampede kills at least 12 in El Salvador
- Initial reports point to crush of fans trying to enter Cuscatlan Stadium in San Salvador to watch match between Alianza and FAS, authorities say
- Emergency services group says it is treating more than 500 injured people
The head of Fifa offered his condolences on Sunday after a “tragic” stampede left at least 12 people dead at an El Salvador stadium during a football match.
Authorities said initial reports pointed to a crush of fans who tried to enter Cuscatlan Stadium in the Central American country’s capital San Salvador on Saturday to watch a match between Alianza and FAS.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives after the tragic incidents that have taken place in El Salvador,” Gianni Infantino, president of world football’s governing body, said in a statement.
The match was suspended as emergency personnel evacuated people from the stadium, where hundreds of police officers and soldiers gathered as ambulance sirens wailed.
“Preliminarily, we have a negative result of 12 victims, nine who are here in the stadium and three more that we have been informed are in different hospital centres,” National Civil Police (PNC) director Mauricio Arriaza told reporters.
“Salvadoran soccer is in mourning,” Arriaza said.
