Authorities in the Central American country believe the tragedy occurred after a crowd of fans tried to enter the Cuscatlan Stadium in the capital San Salvador to watch the quarter-final match between Alianza and FAS.
The match was halted in the 16th minute, as fans in the stands waved frantically to attract the attention of those on the pitch and carried the injured out of the stands.
A woman cries after a stampede at a soccer stadium in the Central American country. Photo: NY Times
Emergency services evacuated people from the stadium, which holds 44,000 fans. Hundreds of police and soldiers rushed to the scene.
“There have been 12 deaths, including nine in the stadium and three others in hospitals,” said El Salvador’s national police chief Mauricio Arriaza.
About 100 people in serious condition have been taken to hospital in El Salvador. Photo: The Sun
Health Minister Francisco Alabi said the country's hospitals are also providing medical care to all the patients, currently numbering around 500. About 100 of them are seriously injured, some with signs of suffocation and other injuries.
The tragedy comes seven months after 135 people, including more than 40 children, died in a stampede after a football match in Malang, Indonesia, when police fired tear gas at panicked fans, causing them to trample each other to escape.
An Indonesian police officer and two match officials were jailed for 12 to 18 months following the disaster .
Nguyen Tuyet (According to SCMP, Reuters)
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