A Wednesday night soccer match in Port Said, Egypt turned deadly after fans of the local team, Al-Masry, stormed the field and began attacking fans of the opposing team, Al-Ahly, with knives, stones and other weapons. Dozens of people died and over 200 people were injured.
Witnesses say the riot began almost immediately after Al-Masry earned a rare win over Cairo’s soccer club. Al-Ahly fans fleeing the attack were trapped in the stadium by locked exits. Riot police reportedly stood by and did little to diffuse the situation. At one point during the riot, authorities shut off all of the stadium lights in an effort to hamper the attackers.
Seventy-nine people, including at least one police officer, were killed. Hisham Sheha, a Health Ministry official, said most of the victims died of stab wounds, brain hemorrhages, and head injuries. Others were suffocated or crushed in the riot. At least 248 people, including 14 police officers, were injured.
The Interior Ministry reports 47 people have been arrested for their participation in the violence. The cause of the riot, as well as the apparent lack of police response, is under investigation. The security chief and the head of police in Port Said have been suspended and are under investigation. Port Said’s governor has also resigned.
Three days of mourning for the victims began Thursday.
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