A tragic incident unfolded on Friday night at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima, Peru, where a stampede among football fans resulted in at least one fatality and over 60 injuries, according to authorities. The crush occurred on the south stands of the stadium, as supporters of the Alianza Lima team had gathered for a "flag-waving event" ahead of their scheduled match against arch-rivals Universitario. The cause of the stampede remains unclear, with the chaos erupting before the event had officially begun.

Local television broadcasts aired videos from the scene showing a massive crowd of fans on the south stands and explosions of fireworks. Other footage depicted what appeared to be injured individuals seated in the stands inside the stadium. Peru's Ministry of Health initially reported that a wall had collapsed inside the stadium, but both local police and Alianza Lima denied this claim in their respective statements, adding to the confusion surrounding the incident.

Fire brigadier Marcos Pajuelo confirmed one death but stated that the cause was still unknown. Lima officials revealed that the flag-waving event lacked valid permits or the required security guarantees, raising questions about oversight and safety protocols. Alianza Lima president Fernando Cabada told local media that such events are common for the club and that nothing like this had ever happened before, noting it was a club event that did not require tickets.

Alianza Lima issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims and offering support to those affected. The club said, "We are fully and transparently collaborating with the competent authorities," vowing "total transparency" in assisting with the investigation. This tragedy highlights ongoing safety concerns at mass gatherings in Peru and underscores the need for stricter enforcement of event regulations to prevent future occurrences.

Source: www.dw.com