Stampede at El Salvador football stadium leaves at least 9 dead, hundreds injured: officials

A stampede at a soccer stadium in El Salvador on Saturday left at least nine dead and hundreds more injured, officials said.

The fatal crush occurred when fans reportedly walked through an access gate during a Salvadoran league quarterfinal match between clubs Alianza and FAS at the Monumental stadium in Cuscatlan.

The National Civil Police confirmed on Twitter that there were at least nine dead and that two of the injured are in critical condition.

Carlos Fuentes, spokesman for the Rescue Commandos first aid group, also confirmed the deaths.

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fans at the stadium after the stampede

At least nine people were killed and dozens more were injured when rushing fans ran through one of the gates during a Salvadoran league soccer match between Alianza and FAS. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

“We can confirm nine deaths – seven men and two women – and we have assisted more than 500 people, and more than 100 have been transported to hospitals, some of whom were serious,” Fuentes told The Associated Press.

A commotion in the stands began just 16 minutes into the game, with fans cheering frantically as others carried the injured out of a tunnel and onto the pitch. The match was later abandoned.

aid workers carrying the woman on the stretcher

An injured fan was carried onto the field of the Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador on Saturday. Officials said more than 100 people were hospitalized. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

A volunteer with a first aid team described the chaos to reporters as an “avalanche” of supporters apparently bursting through a gate into the stadium.

The aftermath of the stampede was broadcast live on television.

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Dozens of supporters were seen receiving medical treatment on the pitch as supporters who had escaped the crush stood on the pitch waving T-shirts over those apparently lying unconscious on the grass.

bodies covered in blankets at the stadium

The bodies are covered with a blanket on the field of Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador on Saturday. Officials have said the events of the disaster will be investigated and those responsible will be punished. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele tweeted that there will be a “comprehensive investigation” into the disaster.

“Everyone will be investigated: teams, managers, stadium, ticket office, league, federation, etc,” wrote Bukele. “Whoever the culprits are, they will not go unpunished.”

The Salvadoran Football Federation said in a statement that it was sorry for what happened and expressed support for the families of the victims.

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Cuscatlan is located approximately 25 miles (41 kilometers) northeast of San Salvador.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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