Hundreds of El Salvadoran fans injured or killed while attending a football match.

Authorities in the Central American nation believe the tragedy occurred after a crowd of fans attempted to enter the Cuscatlan Stadium in the capital, San Salvador, to watch the quarter-final match between Alianza and FAS.

The match was temporarily halted in the 16th minute, when fans in the stands frantically waved their hands to draw the attention of those on the pitch and carried injured people off the stands.

A woman cries out after a stampede at a soccer stadium in a Central American country. Photo: NY Times

Emergency services evacuated people from the stadium, which has a capacity of 44,000 spectators. Hundreds of police and soldiers were deployed to the scene.

"There have been 12 fatalities, including 9 inside the stadium and 3 others in hospitals," said El Salvador's national police chief Mauricio Arriaza.

Around 100 people in serious condition have been taken to hospitals in El Salvador. Photo: The Sun

According to Health Minister Francisco Alabi, the country's hospitals are also providing medical care to all patients, currently numbering around 500. Approximately 100 of these are seriously injured, some showing signs of suffocation and other injuries.

The tragedy occurred seven months after 135 people, including more than 40 children, died in a stampede following a football match in Malang, Indonesia, when police sprayed tear gas at fans, causing them to panic and trample each other to get out of the stadium.

An Indonesian police officer and two match officials have been sentenced to 12-18 months in prison following the disaster .

Nguyen Tuyet (According to SCMP, Reuters)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/di-xem-bong-da-hang-tram-co-dong-vien-el-salvador-thuong-vong-a608848.html