t least 12 people have died after a stampede at a football stadium in El Salvador.
The tragedy occurred during a match between Alianza and the Club Deportivo FAS at Cuscatlan Stadium in the capital San Salvador.
Officials have said about 500 people had been given medical treatment and many were taken to hospital.
The police said initial reports pointed to a crush of fans who tried to enter the stadium during the match.
It has been reported that officials believe some fans had been sold fake tickets.
“It was an avalanche of fans who overran the gate,” a volunteer with the Rescue Commandos first aid group told 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.”
The match was suspended as emergency personnel evacuated people from the stadium.
Health minister Francisco Alabi said most of those injured are in a stable condition and that there have been no reports of deaths from hospitals.
President Nayib Bukele described the event as “unprecedented” and said an “exhaustive investigation” would be launched.
“Whoever the culprits are, they will not go unpunished,” he said in comments posted to Twitter by his press secretary.
