Three dead in Mexico City as World Cup fans crowd streets after win

A joyous celebration turned deadly in Mexico City as fans took to the streets after Mexico’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the World Cup round of 32.

Three people died of suffocation near the Angel of Independence landmark, the capital’s health secretariat said ‌early Wednesday, July 1. The people were among a crowd of thousands who gathered late into the night around Paseo de la Reforma after the match, which was delayed for an hour by storms.

“After receiving advanced ​resuscitation efforts, the deaths of a 44-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman from suffocation have been confirmed,” the health authority initially said on social media, according to Reuters.

Authorities later said a ​48-year-old woman was treated for ​asphyxiation and died after being taken to hospital.

Mayor ⁠Clara Brugada expressed her condolences to the families of the victims on X and urged everyone to “always celebrate with responsibility, care, and empathy.”

The Mexican national team ended a 40-year ​World Cup drought in the knockout ⁠round with its win over Ecuador at Estadio Azteca, sending the co-host nation into the round of 16.

That sent many of the city’s 20 million residents into the streets.

Though the city is accustomed to large celebrations and huge crowds, many scary moments were recorded on social media.

Mexico will host the winner of Wednesday’s match between England and DR Congo in the round of 16 on Sunday night.