Three spectators died and more than 70 others were injured after they had fallen from the upper stands of a stadium during parties after the victory of the Liga title of MC Alger, the Ministry of Health of Algeria confirmed Sunday.
The incident took place shortly after MC Alger had secured their second consecutive title of top flight. According to local media, a part of a barrier in the upper position took place, causing dozens of fans to fall into the bottom layer.
In a statement on Facebook, the Ministry of Health said: 'The Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people, while three dead were registered. Ben Aknoun Hospital also received 27 injured people, while Bab El Oud Hospital received 16. '
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune offered a participation in the families of the victims and wished a quick recovery for the injured.
MC Alger confirmed one deadly in an Instagram message: “It is with great sadness and sadness and with hearts that we received the news from our supporter Younes Amguzzi, who died after falling from the upper grandstands.”
The club has not yet commented on the other two reported dead.
Images posted by Omroep El Heddaf TV seemed to show part of the railing that collapsed on the lower layer of the stadium.
Emergency services responded quickly and transported the wounded to nearby hospitals. MC Alger players and employees also visited hospitals to donate blood. The trophy presentation ceremony was postponed in the light of the tragedy.
Authorities still have to issue a statement about stadium security protocols.