Soccer fans pushed and shoved at the entrance to a stadium in the capital San Salvador of the Central American nation of El Salvador, leaving 12 people dead.
The El Salvador National Civil Police posted on Twitter that the stampede occurred during the national championship quarter-final match between Alianza and FAS clubs at the Estadio Cuscatlan stadium in the capital San Salvador on May 20.
At least 12 people died and dozens were injured when soccer fans pushed and shoved at an entrance to the stadium. Police said two of the injured were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Fans stampede at the entrance to the Estadio Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador on May 20. Video: La Nacion
Local media carried images of dozens of fans being taken off the field for medical treatment.
"The number of fans pouring through the gate was too large. Some were still lying in the tunnel. Others tried to climb up the stands and run onto the pitch. Many were suffocating," said an anonymous volunteer from the Rescue Commandos first aid group.
El Salvador's Interior Minister Carlos Bidegain said civil protection response teams were quickly on the scene and assisting those affected. The match was postponed as emergency responders ordered the stadium to be evacuated. Hundreds of police and soldiers were also on the scene.
A fan is carried out of the Estadio Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador on May 20. Photo: AP
Health Minister Francisco Alabi said El Salvador's hospital network was providing medical care to all victims of the stampede. The El Salvador Football Federation expressed regret for what happened and offered condolences to the families of the victims.
El Salvador is a Central American country bordering Honduras and Guatemala, with a population of 6.5 million. Soccer is the most popular sport here. Estadio Cuscatlan has a capacity of over 44,000 people, making it one of the largest stadiums in Central America.
Thanh Tam (According to AFP, AP )
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