At least two people have died during large-scale celebrations in Mexico City after Mexico’s national football team secured a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.
According to the Mexico City government, the victims—a 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man—lost their lives due to asphyxiation during the crowded festivities on Wednesday. The city’s health ministry confirmed both fatalities.
Authorities have yet to verify reports by local media claiming that a third person also died during the celebrations.
The jubilant scenes erupted after Mexico defeated Ecuador to register its first FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory since 1986, earning the tournament co-hosts a place in the Round of 16.
An estimated one million people flooded the streets of the Mexican capital to celebrate the historic victory, with the largest crowds gathering around the iconic Angel of Independence monument.
Emergency responders and security personnel were deployed across the city to manage the massive crowds, though the sheer number of revelers created challenging conditions that reportedly contributed to the fatal incidents.
Officials have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths while reviewing crowd management measures for future public celebrations.
Mexico’s qualification has sparked nationwide excitement, but the tragic loss of lives has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a historic moment for the country’s football supporters.
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