Alianza Lima‘s “flag-waving” event prior to the Peruvian soccer classic against Universitario de Deportes ended on Saturday with at least one dead and 47 injured, in an incident that occurred inside the stadium of the blue and white team for reasons still unknown, although a possible human avalanche is being considered.
Although the Peruvian authorities had initially reported dozens of injuries due to the collapse of a wall or structure at the Alianza Lima stadium, this was later ruled out when it was found that the sports facility was not affected.
The rally took place in the south stand of the stadium, where the Alianza Lima ultras usually sit, and where there may have been an excess of attendees as well as a possible brawl between members of the ultras
In several videos broadcast on social media by attendees at this demonstration, a large crowd of people can be seen entering the south stand of the stadium, which was already full, and moments later there are screams of desperation and people trying to climb on top of each other, including children in the crowd.
As a result of the crush, one person died of apparent suffocation, while dozens more were left practically unconscious on the floor, as seen in another series of videos that various witnesses have published on social networks.
Both the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima and the Lima municipality of La Victoria, in whose jurisdiction the Alianza Lima stadium is located, indicated in separate statements that the popular “flag-waving” did not have the respective permits or security guarantees for its celebration.
Security protocols
For its part, the club Alianza Lima, the most popular in Peru, lamented in another statement what happened and said that “from the first moment the security and emergency care protocols were immediately activated, providing timely assistance to those affected and their families.”
“We are collaborating fully and transparently with the competent authorities in order to contribute to the clarification of the facts under investigation,” the sporting institution said.
Alianza Lima administrator Fernando Cabada told RPP radio station that this type of flag-waving is common and that until now there had been no incidents. “It is an internal event, it is not a commercial event nor with tickets. It was not a show, but some (fans) attending the stadium,” said the manager.
Meanwhile, Liga 1, Peru’s top division tournament, confirmed that the match between Universitario and Alianza Lima will take place on Saturday, dispelling any rumors of a possible postponement of the classic.
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