El Salvador stadium fire kills at least 12 




At least 12 people have been killed after lightning struck a football stadium in El Salvador'scapital, San Salvador, officials said.

This happened during a match between Alianza and Fas de Santa Ana at the Cuscatlán stadium. The game has been suspended.

President Nayib Bukele calledthe incident unprecedentedand said a full investigationwould be launched. The police have said that seven men and two women are among the dead, while all of them died more than eighteen years ago.

The tragedy reportedly occurred when many fans tried to enter the venue after the doors were closed. El Salvador stadium fire kills at least 12 
Officials believe some fans weresold fake tickets and say an investigation is underway.


Footage shared by local media showed footballers trying to break down barriers at the stadium's entrance. A replay of the game posted on YouTube shows the game being suspended after a riot broke out on the field. Emergency crews are also seen bringing in stretchers. Flyers are also seen waving their shirts to the ground in an effort to cool down.


A volunteer from the first aid group of the Rescue Commandos told reporters, "It's a lot of fear that the runners have come up to the gate. “Some are still under the metal in the tunnel. Others managed to get him into the dock and into the arena and choked. 

President Bukele said that "everyone" will be investigated, including members, managers, sports officials, clubs and associations. "Whoever is guilty, they will not be punished," he said in a statement posted by his publicist on Twitter.


Officials also said 90 people were receiving treatment and men, women and children were being treated for "multiple injuries". Luis Alonso Amaya of El Salvador's civil defense said that about 500 people have received treatment, many of them transferred to hospitals.

The Minister of Health,Francisco Alabi, said that most of the injured are in a stable condition and there have been no deaths in the hospital. TheSalvadoran Football Federation said all national football matches would be suspended on Sunday. He also said that heregretted the incident and expressed his support for the families of the victims. Salvadoran Health MinisterFrancisco Alabi tweeted that the government had moved an ambulance from a hospital nearthe stadium, while the injured were being sent to variouspublic facilities for treatment.

Mr. Alabi also called on the people to evacuate the area carefully to allow the medical team to take care.

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Assan Richard Odum

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