Three spectators have died and several were reported injured after falling from the upper stand of a stadium just after MC Alger were crowned Algerian champions, Afrosport reports.
MC Alger won the Algerian top-flight league for the second straight season, and the country’s ministry of health on Sunday said that about 70 people were injured in the incident at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers.
“The Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people, while three deaths were recorded,” the Algerian ministry of health said in a statement via Facebook, adding: “Ben Aknoun Hospital also received 27 injured people, while Bab El Oued Hospital received 16.”
A security barrier collapsed as fans trooped forward to celebrate the victory before falling onto the lower tier of the stadium.
Reports from local media suggest that the injured spectators were rushed to the hospital, where MC Alger players, staff, and administrators also went to donate blood.
MC Alger won the league despite playing out a goalless draw with NC Magra, and the trophy presentation was postponed due to the tragic incident.
Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune, meanwhile, offered his condolences, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.
“It is with great sadness and sorrow and with hearts that we received the news of our supporter Younes Amguzzi, who passed away after falling from the upper stands,” MC Alger said earlier in an Instagram post.
