Football rally in Peru leaves one dead and dozens injured

Football Rally in Peru Leaves One Fan Dead, Dozens Injured

During a pre-match gathering for a local football derby in Lima, Peru, a tragic incident occurred, resulting in the death of one fan and multiple injuries. The Peruvian Health Minister, Juan Carlos Velasco Guerrero, confirmed the fatality at a Lima hospital, stating that 47 individuals were affected, with three in critical condition.

The event took place at Alejandro Villanueva Stadium, where hundreds of supporters gathered wearing Alianza Lima jerseys and waving flags for the home team. The match was set against their rivals, Universitario de Deportes. Despite initial claims of structural collapse, officials have since contested the reports, emphasizing that no parts of the stadium’s walls or framework fell into the pit.

“There are no collapsed walls or sections fallen into the pit,” said Fire Chief Marcos Pajuelo, who noted the southern stands were intact. The football league announced that Saturday night’s match would proceed as scheduled, underscoring its dedication to event safety.

Earlier, the interior ministry shared on X that 40 firefighters attended an emergency involving people trapped within a structure. However, Alianza Lima later clarified on the same platform that the incident was unrelated to any collapse or damage to the stadium’s facilities. The league reiterated its focus on ensuring the safety of all attendees during sporting events.