Three soccer fans died and more than 70 others were injured on Saturday, June 21, when a security barrier collapsed in the upper stands of the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers, Algeria, during celebrations following MC Alger’s league title victory.
The incident occurred immediately after the final whistle as fans surged forward to celebrate their team’s successful defense of the top-flight championship. The barrier collapse caused dozens of supporters to fall from the upper tier into the lower stands below.
Algeria’s Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties in a Facebook statement, reporting that Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people while recording three deaths. Ben Aknoun Hospital treated 27 injured individuals, and Bab El Oued Hospital received 16 patients. Health officials indicated that most of the injured have since been released from medical facilities.
The tragedy unfolded as MC Alger secured their second consecutive league title with a 0-0 draw against NC Magra. The stadium was packed with thousands of supporters who had gathered to witness their team retain the championship they won the previous year. During the match, the atmosphere was celebratory, with green smoke from flares filling the venue.
MC Alger mourned the loss of one supporter in an Instagram post, identifying him as Younes Amgozi. The club expressed deep sadness over the news of their supporter “who passed away after falling from the upper stands of the Olympic Stadium July 5.” The club has not yet commented on the other two reported fatalities.
Emergency services responded immediately to the scene, transporting injured fans to nearby hospitals across the capital. Players and staff from MC Alger demonstrated solidarity by visiting hospitals to donate blood for the injured supporters.
The planned trophy presentation ceremony was postponed following the disaster. Footage broadcast by El Heddaf TV appeared to show a section of railing that had collapsed onto the lower tier of the stadium.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune offered condolences to the victims’ families and expressed wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured in the incident.
The Confederation of African Football issued a statement expressing condolences following the disaster. CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe indicated the organization was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and injuries sustained by the football spectators. He extended condolences to the Algerian Football Federation, the Algerian Government, and President Tebboune regarding the incident.
Motsepe expressed wishes for injured individuals to have a speedy recovery and stated that CAF would continue maintaining contact with the Algerian Football Federation and its President Walid Sadi to provide whatever assistance possible.
The 5 July 1962 Stadium is a football and athletics venue with a capacity of 85,000 spectators, located in Algiers. The facility was inaugurated in 1972 and serves as one of Algeria’s premier sporting venues.
MC Alger, founded in 1921, is based in Algiers and plays in colors of red, green and white. The club typically plays home matches at the Ali La Pointe Stadium, which has a capacity of 40,000 spectators. The team competes in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1, the top division of the country’s football league system.
As of the 2023-24 season, MC Alger held the distinction of being the Algerian football club with the highest market value at 9.68 million euros. The club’s championship victory marked their second consecutive league title.
Stadium safety authorities have not yet issued statements regarding safety protocols or investigations into the barrier failure that caused the incident. The collapse occurred during what should have been a moment of celebration for the newly crowned champions and their supporters.
Sources:
https://people.com/3-dead-after-upper-stands-of-stadium-collapse-11759308
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/international-sports/younes-amgozi-among-3-tragically-killed-in-algeria-stadium-collapse-during-mc-alger-game/articleshow/122050784.cms
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3en3nzlxxxo
https://www.coliseum-online.com/three-perish-in-algeria-stadium-disaster/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14825091/Three-football-fans-dead-70-injured-horror-Algeria-stadium-disaster-supporters-fall-stand-barrier-breaks-amid-title-celebrations.html
