Three people, including a teenage woman, have died after being caught in overcrowded World Cup celebration scenes that swept through Mexico City following the national team’s victory over Ecuador.
Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the victims were a 19-year-old woman, a 48-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man.
The fatalities occurred after huge crowds poured into the streets to celebrate Mexico’s 2-0 win, which secured the country’s first World Cup knockout-stage victory since 1986.
The Mexico City government said more than one million supporters gathered across the capital, with the largest concentrations around the Angel of Independence monument in the city centre.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada offered her “most sincere condolences” to the families of those who died and said the local government would provide assistance in the days ahead.
According to the city’s health authority, emergency personnel responded to reports of three unconscious individuals at separate points along Paseo de la Reforma and transported them to hospital for urgent treatment.
“After performing first aid and CPR techniques on the patients, they were transferred to a hospital for specialised medical care,” the city’s health authority said.
Despite efforts by medical teams, all three victims were later pronounced dead. Health officials said the deaths resulted from suffocation and that the individuals were identified by their relatives.
Following confirmation of the deaths, Brugada appealed to football supporters on social media to “always celebrate with responsibility, care, and empathy”.
Mexico’s victory triggered scenes of jubilation both inside the Estadio Azteca and throughout the capital, where thousands of fans celebrated late into the night and fireworks continued long after the final whistle.
Ahead of the match, Brugada had advised supporters intending to watch the game near the Angel of Independence monument to seek alternative locations because of the large number of people already gathered there.
With a metropolitan population exceeding 20 million people, Mexico City ranks among the most densely populated urban centres in the world.
Mexico’s triumph booked their place in the World Cup Round of 16, where they could face England if the side coached by Thomas Tuchel overcome DR Congo on Wednesday.
