Medics on the pitch attending to injured fans

What was meant to be a night of celebration for MC Alger turned into a national tragedy as a stadium disaster claimed the lives of three football fans and left more than 80 injured at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers.

The horrific incident occurred on Saturday, June 21, 2025, shortly after MC Alger secured the Algerian Ligue 1 title with a goalless draw against NC Magra.

The draw was enough to crown them champions for a second consecutive season, sparking wild celebrations inside the packed 64,200-capacity stadium.

As fans lit flares and roared in celebration, disaster struck. Local reports suggest a security barrier on the upper tier of the stadium gave way, causing dozens of supporters to fall from the stands to the sections below.

"It is with great sadness and sorrow and with hearts that we received the news of our supporter Younes Amguzzi, who passed away after falling from the upper stands," read a statement from MC Alger following confirmation of the first fatality.

The Algerian Ministry of Health later confirmed the deaths of three individuals and revealed that dozens more were hospitalised across various medical centres in Algiers.

“The Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people, while three deaths were recorded. Ben Aknoun Hospital also received 27 injured people, while Bab El Oued Hospital received 16,” the ministry said in a statement.

Emergency services rushed to the scene as videos shared on social media showed chaotic and heartbreaking moments, fans attempting to help the injured, and emergency responders navigating flares and crowds to reach the victims.

The planned trophy presentation was immediately postponed in the wake of the disaster.

Several MC Alger players and staff were reported to have visited hospitals to donate blood, offering support to the victims and their families.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences, calling it a “painful tragedy”, and extended his thoughts to the bereaved families and the injured.

FKA/EB

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