Three football fans died and more than 70 others suffered injuries after tumbling from the upper tier of a stadium in the Algerian top flight on Saturday.
A goalless draw with NC Magra was enough to get MC Alger over the line in defence of their league title, but the sense of euphoria quickly turned to panic in horrendous scenes shortly after the final whistle.
Local media in Algeria report that a security barrier broke at the Stade du 5 Juillet, causing multiple spectators to fall from a great height into the largely empty stand below.
Emergency services were seen rushing to the scene to treat the dozens injured in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, with nearby supporters left in a state of shock.
Photographs taken in the aftermath of the incident show clearly where the section of the barrier in question gave way at the 64,200-capacity ground, where MC Alger’s euphoric players had been celebrating just moments earlier.
‘The Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people, while three deaths were recorded,’ a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Health read.
‘Ben Aknoun Hospital also received 27 injured people, while Bab El Oued Hospital received 16.’
MC Alger’s trophy presentation ceremony had to be postposed following the disaster, with players, staff and administrators uniting to donate blood to those injured.
Before two further fatalities were confirmed, MC Alger passed on their condolences to Younes Amguzzi, who was among those who died in the disaster.
‘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 stand,’ a statement on the club’s official Instagram page read.
‘The board of directors, all members of management, all the team and players, come forward with sincere condolences and the most sincere condolences to all the family members of the deceased and their family.’
Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune has also reached out to the families of the three killed, while wishing those injured in the fall a speedy recovery.
‘Following the painful incident that befell the supporters of MC Alger at the Stade du 5 Juillet, I can only pray for the soul of the deceased supporter,’ Tebboune wrote on X.
‘May God have mercy on him and grant him a place in his vast paradise.
‘We offer our condolences to his family, his fellow supporters and the MC Alger team.
‘I pray for the recovery of those injured in the incident and their swift return to their loved ones.’
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