The international soccer scene was the site of tragedy Sunday, when at least seven people were killed following the collapse of a section of seating at a Brazilian stadium.
Dozens were also injured in the mishap, which occurred in Salvador, a candidate city to host World Cup matches in 2014. Footage from the collapse showed a gaping hole in the stadium’s upper tier and the bodies of several people who had fallen to the street below.
Local fire officials said more than 40 people were taken to hospital. More than 60,000 were in Fonte Nova Stadium to watch the third division match between home side Bahia and visitors Goiania.
It’s believed the collapse was caused in part by cheering fans jumping up and down on the stands. The structure gave way near the end of the match. An unidentified fan said he saw the bleachers collapsing.
“I saw seven people falling one on top of the other,” he said.
Meanwhile hundreds of fans, completely oblivious of what had happened, charged onto the field at the end of the match to celebrate Bahia’s promotion to the second division after the 0-0 draw, tearing up pieces of turf to take home as souvenirs and knocking over advertising boards.
The planned celebration featuring several musical acts was cancelled and Bahia state government shut down the stadium and promised an investigation.
The city is also planning to build a new stadium in the hopes of netting site rights for when the World Cup comes to Brazil. The last major stadium accident in Brazil happened in 2000 when a fence collapsed during the Brazilian championship final between Vasco da Gama and Sao Caetano at the Sao Januario stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The fence gave way as thousands of fans pressed in and more than 150 people were injured.
