The celebrations marking Mexico’s advancement to the World Cup Round of 16 came to a tragic end, as four people lost their lives during mass gatherings in downtown Mexico City, where approximately one million fans had gathered to watch the national team’s victory over Ecuador.

According to health authorities in the Mexican capital, three of the victims died of asphyxiation. They were a 19-year-old woman, a 44-year-old man, and a 48-year-old woman, who later died in the hospital. Another man, approximately 30 years old, was taken to a hospital with severe convulsions and gastrointestinal bleeding and died after suffering cardiac arrest.

The emergencies occurred along Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, where giant screens had been set up to broadcast the match. The area had been closed to traffic for more than two kilometers to accommodate the fans.

According to the newspaper El Universal, the stampede that proved fatal was triggered when fireworks caused panic among the gathered crowd, causing many people to start running, fall to the ground, and get trampled.

“I’m happy about Mexico’s victory, but the celebrations have gotten out of hand. You can’t let your joy affect others. ‘One person’s freedom ends where another’s begins,’ Patricia Garcia, 54, who was in the crowd, told Reuters.

Videos posted on social media show scenes of chaos, with fans trapped in the dense crowd, while other footage shows clashes between fans in streets littered with cans, bottles, and the remains of alcoholic beverages.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the Attorney General’s Office will investigate the causes of the tragedy, while the relevant authorities will consider implementing additional security measures ahead of the national team’s Round of 16 match against England on Sunday.

“People must celebrate responsibly,” the Mexican president said during the customary press conference.

Source: APE-MPE