Football rally in Peru leaves one dead and dozens injured

Football Rally in Peru Leaves One Fan Dead and Dozens Injured

A tragic event occurred during a pre-match gathering at Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima, Peru, as tensions escalated between fans of Alianza Lima and their rivals, Universitario de Deportes. The incident, which took place before a scheduled derby, resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. Peruvian Health Minister Juan Carlos Velasco Guerrero confirmed the death, stating that 47 individuals were affected, with three in critical condition.

Initial reports indicated parts of the stadium’s wall and infrastructure may have collapsed, sparking concerns about safety. However, officials have since clarified that the structure of the southern stands remained intact. Fire Chief Marcos Pajuelo addressed the situation, asserting,

“There are no collapsed walls or sections fallen into the pit.”

Despite the confusion, the football league announced that Saturday night’s match will proceed as planned.

The interior ministry initially reported that 40 firefighters were deployed to an emergency involving people trapped in a structure. Alianza Lima, however, issued a statement on X, noting,

“According to the preliminary information available, the incident is not related to the collapse of walls or structural facilities of the sports complex.”

The Peruvian Professional Football League emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the rally’s chaos.