A tragic incident struck Algeria’s football community after three fans died and over 70 others were injured during MC Alger’s title-clinching match against NC Magra on Saturday, June 21. The disaster occurred at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, turning a day of celebration into a scene of chaos and mourning.
What Happened at Stade du 5 Juillet?
The top-tier Ligue Professionnelle 1 match between MC Alger and NC Magra had fans flocking in large numbers to the stadium. A goalless draw was enough for MC Alger to secure the title, marking them as the third most successful football club in Algerian history. However, just as the celebrations began, part of the upper tier collapsed after a security barrier gave way.
The broken barrier caused dozens of fans to fall from the upper stands into the lower sections. Witnesses described the moment as shocking and sudden. Stadium officials and medics rushed to assist the injured while the coronation ceremony was immediately postponed.
How Many Were Injured or Killed?
The Algerian Ministry of Health confirmed that three people died in the incident. Hospitals across the region received dozens of injured fans, with Beni Messous University Hospital admitting 38 individuals. Ben Aknoun Hospital treated 27 victims, while Bab El Oued Hospital received 16.
MC Alger later identified one of the deceased as supporter Younes Amgozi. In a heartfelt statement, the club wrote: “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 on July 5, to be his last match with the heart team shirt.”
What Was the Official Response?
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was among the first officials to respond publicly. Initially reacting when one fatality had been confirmed, he expressed his condolences in a message posted on X: “Following the painful tragedy that befell the fans of Mouloudia d’Alger today at the 5 July Stadium, I can only offer my condolences to the soul of the deceased supporter. May God have mercy on him and grant him eternal peace.”
He continued, “We offer our condolences to ourselves, his family, his fellow supporters, and the staff of Mouloudia d’Alger, and I pray to the Almighty to grant a speedy recovery to the injured in the accident and to return them to their families as soon as possible.”
By Yockshard Enyendi
