Tragedy struck during a Saturday quarterfinal soccer match, as a stampede claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals and left numerous others injured.
The National Civil Police swiftly shared a preliminary report on Twitter, confirming the heartbreaking death toll and the extent of injuries suffered. According to their statement, the match between Alianza and FAS clubs at the Monumental Stadium in Cuscatlan, El Salvador resulted in 12 fatalities, with several spectators sustaining severe injuries and requiring immediate medical attention at nearby hospitals. Officials attributed the crowding at the gate and subsequent stampede to the selling of too many tickets and/or fraudulent tickets.
Initial reports had indicated nine lives lost, but local media later revised the figure to 12, amplifying the gravity of the situation that unfolded in a matter of moments.
Carlos Fuentes, the dedicated spokesperson for Rescue Commandos, somberly confirmed the tragic news of the fatalities. Fuentes revealed that their highly trained first aid team valiantly provided care to over 500 individuals amidst the chaos. Among this staggering number, more than 100 required hospitalization, with some in critical condition.
The soccer match came to an abrupt halt a mere 16 minutes into play when distressed fans in the stands urgently caught the attention of players on the field. Their frantic signals quickly alerted officials, spurring them into immediate action. Television networks broadcast the scenes of chaos and desperation as the injured were swiftly evacuated through a tunnel onto the pitch.
Amidst the chaos, those fortunate enough to escape the stampede rushed onto the field, their shirts transformed into impromptu distress signals. They scanned the grassy terrain, desperately seeking signs of life among the motionless bodies scattered on the ground.
Authorities responded to the scene, with National Civil Police Commissioner Mauricio Arriza Chicas declaring an extensive criminal investigation in close collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office.
