Three dead and more than 70 injured after fans fall from stands in football stadium disaster

Terrible news.

The disaster occurred today in a goalless game between NC Magra and MC Alger in Algiers, the country's capital.

The game resulted in the latter defending their league title.

Local media are reporting that a security barrier at the Stade du 5 Juillet broke, causing multiple people to fall from a height into the stands below.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, treating dozens of injured people.

Pictures of the chaos clearly show where the barrier gave way at the 64,200-capacity stadium, where moments earlier, MC Alger and their fans were celebrating.

In a statement, the Algerian Ministry of Health said: "The Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people, while three deaths were recorded.

"Ben Aknoun Hospital also received 27 injured people, while Bab El Oued Hospital received 16."

MC Alger's players, staff and administrators all came together to donate blood to those injured.

Prior to two more deaths being confirmed, the club passed on their condolences to Younes Amguzzi, who died in the disaster.

"With great sadness and grief and with hearts believing in God's will and destiny, we received the news of the supporters of our club, Younes Amgozi, who passed away after falling from the upper stands of the Olympic Stadium," they wrote.

"The board of directors, all members of management, all the team and players, come forward with sincere condolences and the most sincere condolences to all the family members of the deceased and their family."

Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune has also reached out to the victims, writing on X: "I can only pray for the soul of the deceased supporter.

"I pray for the recovery of those injured in the incident and their swift return to their loved ones."