One dead and dozens injured at Peru football stadium during pre-match event | Peru

Alianza Lima football club said one person died and dozens of people were injured at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima, Peru.

Hundreds of fans were taking part in a “flag waving event” around the stadium on Friday, a day before the derby match between home team Alianza Lima and local rivals Universitario de Deportes.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, which is not yet clear. Initial reports suggested that parts of the stadium wall had collapsed, but Alianza Lima and a fire official said there was no structural failure.

According to media reports, the club expressed its condolences for those who lost their lives, including 60 injured.

“We are cooperating fully and transparently with the competent authorities,” the club said. Description of XHe promised “full transparency” to help investigate what happened.

Peruvian Health Minister Juan Carlos Velasco Guerrero confirmed the death and said 47 people were injured, three people were in critical condition.

Fire Chief Marcos Pajuelo told Canal N news channel that, according to initial assessments, the structure of the stadium was not affected. “There are no collapsed walls or sections falling into the pit,” he said.

“There is no debris whatsoever,” he added.

Earlier, the interior ministry said 40 firefighters responded to an emergency at the stadium in X “related to people trapped in a structure.”

Peru’s professional soccer league said Saturday’s game will go ahead as planned. “We will continue to work closely with clubs and authorities to promote safe environments both inside and outside stadiums,” the statement said.

The league also emphasized its “commitment to the safety and well-being of all” at sporting events.

Alejandro Villanueva Stadium, popularly known as Matute, was built in the 1970s and is located in the Matute district of La Victoria district in Peru’s capital. It has a seating capacity of more than 33,900.

Since then there has been limited modernization of the stadium and, according to him, it remains a “pretty basic ground”. Stadium Guide. Wooden benches were replaced by plastic seats in 2010, and Alianza was reportedly exploring ways to improve the stadium, including increasing capacity to 40,000 spectators and plans for a new arena that could seat 60,000 spectators.