More than 70 people were reported killed and hundreds injured during a riot during a soccer match in the Egyptian city of Port Said, the worst disaster in the country’s soccer history.
Take a look back at some of the major disasters that have occurred at football stadiums around the world.
May 1964, Peru
During an Olympic qualifying match between Peru and Argentina, the referee disallows a Peruvian goal a few minutes before the final whistle. This decision sparked protests from fans, which turned into riots after Argentina’s victory. The violence left 318 dead and more than 500 injured.
January 1971, Scotland
Staircase barriers collapse as fans leave a match between Rangers and Celtic in Glasgow, causing a huge gathering of fans. The crash killed 66 people, including many children, with bodies piled up to six feet deep.
October 1982, Russia
Supporters are crushed as they exit a UEFA Cup match between Spartak Moscow and Dutch club HFC Haarlem at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. Officials in the former Soviet Union did not reveal the tragedy for years. When they do, they give an official death toll of 66, although the number could be as high as 340.
May 1985, England
At least 56 people are killed and more than 200 injured when a fire breaks out in the Bradford stands.
May 1985, Belgium
Thirty-five fans, most of them Italian, die in riots before the European Cup final between Italian Juventus and English club Liverpool at the Heysel stadium in Brussels.
March 1988, Nepal
A hailstorm breaks out as 30,000 fans attend a match between the Nepalese and Bangladeshi teams. At least 93 people are killed and 100 others injured when supporters try to flee the hail.
April 1989, England
In Britain’s worst sporting disaster, 96 people are killed and hundreds injured after a packed crowd crushes packed supporters against barriers during the English FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield’s Hillsborough Stadium. Many die standing and the land becomes a makeshift field hospital.
January 1991, South Africa
Forty-two people are killed in a stampede during a preparatory match in the Orkney mining town between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The incident was sparked by a Pirates fan who attacked Chiefs fans in the crowd with a knife.
May 1992, France
Before kickoff of a Coupe de France match between Bastia and Olympique de Marseille in Corsica, a stand at the Furiani stadium collapsed, killing 18 people and injuring around 2,400.
October 1996, Guatemala
About 80 people are killed and more than 100 injured when an avalanche of fans tumbles from seats and stairs during a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City. The counterfeit tickets would have drawn far more people into the stadium than it could hold.
April 2001, South Africa
At least 43 people were crushed to death when football fans tried to force their way into Johannesburg’s huge Ellis Park stadium in the middle of a South African championship match.
May 2001, Ghana
At the end of a match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, police fired tear gas at supporters who were tearing up the seats. Tens of thousands of people rush to get out and 126 people are killed in the chaos. It remains one of the worst football disasters in Africa.
March 2009, Ivory Coast
At least 19 people are killed during a stampede at the FĂ©lix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan before a World Cup qualifying match against Malawi.
February 2012, Egypt
Fans rioted at the end of a match in the city of Port Said when local team Al-Masry beat Al Ahli, one of Egypt’s most successful clubs, 3-1. At least 73 people are killed and hundreds more injured.
ABC/Reuters
