MC Alger’s long-awaited celebration of their ninth league title ended in heartbreak after a deadly accident struck during their match against ES Mostaganem.
The game, which ended in a 0-0 draw, took place Saturday evening at the iconic 5 July Stadium in Algiers.
As thousands of fans filled the stands, a severe stampede led to the collapse of a fence in the upper tiers. Several supporters fell from the stands, causing panic in the stadium. Emergency services responded quickly, with ambulances rushing the injured to nearby hospitals.
The Algerian Civil Protection later confirmed one fatality and eleven injuries among MC Alger fans. What should have been a night of joy turned into one of mourning.
La Gazette de Vinick reported that the fence failed under pressure, sending fans crashing to the lower level. In light of the tragedy, the Algerian Football Federation cancelled the league trophy handover.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences on X. Despite the sorrow, MC Alger secured their second consecutive title, with JS Kabylie finishing second and qualifying for the CAF Champions League.
