Four dead as huge crowds celebrate Mexico’s World Cup win

CROWD PANIC LED TO CRUSH, LOCAL MEDIA REPORTS

Local newspaper El Universal reported that the deadly crowd crush had been triggered by pyrotechnics which had caused panic, with people starting to run and some falling and being trampled.

Patricia Garcia, a 54-year-old housewife, told Reuters amid the crowds in the early hours of Wednesday morning that she was delighted by the Mexican victory but that things were getting out of hand.

“I don’t agree with excessive celebrations. You can’t let it affect others. Freedom has its limits, and those limits are where another person’s freedom begins,” she said.

Videos shared on social media showed chaotic scenes. One clip, which appeared to be recorded near the iconic Angel monument on Paseo de la Reforma, showed people trapped and unable to move as the momentum of a dense crowd pushed and swayed. 

Other clips showed groups of fans punching and kicking each other near the same site, slipping to the ground covered in cans, bottles, foam and spilled alcohol.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said the Attorney General’s office would investigate what went wrong and authorities would evaluate whether changes needed to be made ahead of Mexico‘s last-16 match against England on Sunday.

“People need to celebrate responsibly,” she said during her regular morning press conference.