| Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Join |
|
Soccer fans stampeded the field and rioted Wednesday after a match between fierce rivals in the port city of Port Said, attacking each other with fists, stones, fireworks and bottles. More than 70 people were killed and at least 1,000 injured in one of the worst incidents of sports violence in Egypt`s history. The melee broke out after fans of Al-Masry, the home team in Port Said, stormed the field after a rare 3-1 win against Al-Ahly, Egypt`s top team. Al-Masry supporters hurled sticks and stones as they chased players and fans from the rival team, who ran toward the exits to escape, according to witnesses. State television footage showed Al-Ahly players rushing for their locker room as fistfights broke out among the crowd. Some men had to rescue a manager from the losing team as he was being beaten. Black-clothed police officers stood by, appearing overwhelmed. Rival fans shot firebombs and fireworks and threw stones, bottles and other objects at each other and some players. A health ministry official in Port Said said at least 73 people were killed. Hundreds of people were injured. Hesham Sheiha, a health ministry official, told state television, most of the deaths were caused by concussions, deep cuts to the heads and suffocation from the stampede. |