San Salvador, May 21 (EFE).- At least 12 people died on Saturday night in a stampede at the Cuscatlán stadium in San Salvador, while another 100 were injured, the government’s press secretary said.

The crush occurred when fans tried to enter the stadium to watch a match between local team Alianza and Santa Ana’s FAS.

The match was subsequently suspended.

*Fans help people during a stampede at the Cuscatláán Stadium prior to a Major League game in San Salvador, El Salvador, 20 May 2023. EFE-EPA/ Miguel Lemus*

After the latest update of the death toll of the victims, most of whom are men, Salvadoran President Najib Bukele promised a “thorough investigation” into the incident.

“The Police and the Prosecutor’s Office will carry out a thorough investigation of the events that occurred at the Cuscatlán Stadium. All will be investigated: teams, managers, stadium, ticket office, league, federation, etc,” he said, promising that the culprits would be punished.

Carlos Fuentes, a spokesperson of the Rescue Commandos first aid group, told reporters that about 100 people were transported to different hospitals, while some 500 had received treatment.

The Salvadoran Football Federation (Fesfut) lamented the deaths and said that it “will immediately request a report of what happened and will communicate the relevant information as soon as possible.”

The president of the National Institute of Sports (INDES) and brother of President Najib Bukele, Yamil Bukele, expressed solidarity with “all the families who have lost a loved one in this sad event today.”

Medical personnel attend to people at the place where at least 12 people died in a stampede at the Cuscatláán Stadium prior to a Major League game in San Salvador, El Salvador, 20 May 2023. EFE-EPA/ Miguel Lemus

“We have convened an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee of INDES” which is the sponsor of the country’s Primera División tournament, he announced.

The teams of the Primera División also expressed their condolences on social media.

“Today there are no colors and for the sake of the sport that we all love, we hope that this does not happen again,” FAS said.

Members of the police and first aid guard the place where at least 12 people died in a stampede at the Cuscatláán Stadium prior to a Major League game in San Salvador, El Salvador, 20 May 2023. EFE-EPA/Miguel Lemus

Luis Ángel Firpo said that the football world was in “mourning.”

“We share the pain of the families of the fans of Alianza,” it added.

Águila also conveyed its sincere condolences.

The Fesfut announced the suspension of the two quarter-final matches scheduled for Sunday and convened an urgent meeting with the Sports Venue Security Commission. EFE.

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