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Football stadium crush in El Salvador leaves at least 12 dead

At least 12 people have died after a crush at a football stadium in El Salvador.

The tragic incident occurred in the country's capital, San Salvador, in a match between Alianza and Fas at the Cuscatlan Stadium.

The tragic incident saw at least 12 people killed
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The tragic incident saw at least 12 people killedCredit: AFP

The disaster reportedly occurred when a large number of fans tried to enter the stadium after the gates had closed.

Officials are said to believe a number of fake tickets had been sold, leading to overcrowding.

"It was an avalanche of fans who overran the gate," said a member of the Rescue Commandos group to journalists.

"Some were still under the metal in the tunnel.

"Others managed to make it to the stands and then to the field and were smothered."

Carlos Fuentes, spokesman for the Rescue Commandos, added: "We can confirm nine dead - seven men and two women - and we attended to more than 500 people.

Hundreds of others were taken to hospital for treatment
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Hundreds of others were taken to hospital for treatmentCredit: AFP

"More than 100 were transported to hospitals, some of them were serious."

The number that had died later climbed to 12.

President of the country Nayib Bukele tweeted: “The @PNCSV and @FGR_SV will carry out an exhaustive investigation of the events that occurred at the Cuscatlan Stadium. Everyone will be investigated: teams, managers, stadium, ticket office, league, federation, etc. Whoever the culprits are, they will not go unpunished.”