LIMA, Peru — Authorities confirmed that at least one person has died and 60 others sustained injuries in a crowd crush at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in the Peruvian capital on Friday night.
According to police, officers aided several individuals who were trapped as a massive influx of Alianza Lima supporters gathered in the south stands ahead of their anticipated match against their main rivals, Universitario.
Earlier reports from the Ministry of Health suggested that a wall in the stadium had collapsed, a claim that was refuted by both the police and Alianza Lima in separate announcements.
Fire Brigadier Marcos Pajuelo confirmed there was at least one fatality and many individuals were transported to local hospitals. He noted that the specific cause of the incident remains unknown.
Footage aired by local broadcasters depicted a densely packed crowd of fans in the south stands accompanied by an explosive display of fireworks. Other clips revealed individuals appearing to be injured seated within the stadium.
The Ministry of Health has reported a total of 60 injuries so far.