Algiers stadium disaster: three fatalities, dozens hurt in stand collapse

Three people have died and more than 70 were injured in an incident on Saturday night at the July 5, 1962 Stadium in Algiers, during which several fans fell from the upper tier of the stands, the Algerian Ministry of Health reported this Sunday.

Shortly after the end of the match between MC Alger and NC Magra (0-0), during the celebrations of the former's title, a crowd rushed towards the barriers of the stands, causing part of a structure to collapse, after which several people fell towards the press area, according to the sports newspaper 'DZ Foot'.

"The Beni Sessous University Hospital received 38 injured, while three deaths were recorded," the Ministry detailed. The Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased in "the painful tragedy" at the capital's stadium, where the trophy presentation ceremony was cancelled.

The Algerian authorities have opened an investigation to determine the causes of the incident.