At least 9 dead in stampede at soccer stadium in El Salvador

At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured when soccer fans poured through one of the access gates to a quarter-final match in the Salvadoran league on Saturday.

The National Civil Police said in a preliminary report via Twitter that nine people were confirmed dead in the match between the Alianza club and FAS at the Monumental stadium in Cuscatlan, which is about 25 miles (41 kilometers) northeast of the capital.

At least two of the injured were transported to hospital in critical condition, police said.

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

Play was delayed about 16 minutes into the match, when fans in the stands waving frantically began to attract the attention of those on the pitch and carry the injured out of the tunnel and down onto the pitch.

Local television broadcast live footage of the stampede by Alianza fans. Dozens came to the field where they received medical treatment. Fans who escaped the stampede stood on the field frantically ruffling their shirts trying to check on those on the grass who were barely moving.

Pedro Hernandez, the president of El Salvador’s first division of football, said the initial information he had was that the stampede happened because fans were able to enter the gates to the stadium.

“It was an avalanche of fans that overran the gate. Some were still in the metal in the tunnel. Others managed to make it into the stands and then into the field and smothered,” and an unidentified volunteer with the Rescue Commandos aid group. to reporters.

“We will investigate from ticket sales, entry to the stadium, but especially the south zone,” he said, the gates were opened.

The Salvadoran Football Federation said in a statement that it regretted the incident and voiced its support for the families of the victims.