Mexican health authorities said four people died during mass celebrations in central Mexico City after the national team’s victory over Ecuador secured their place in the last 16 of the World Cup, where they will meet England.
Two women and one man were found unconscious in the street near the famous Angel of Independence monument, where thousands of people had gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The victims, who authorities said died of asphyxiation, were 48, 44 and 19 years old. Authorities did not provide additional details about the circumstances of the death.
An aerial shot of fans at the Angel of Independence during celebrations following Mexico’s victory. Getty
Mexico City Health Minister Nadine Gasman then told a news conference that another man, in his 30s, presented to emergency personnel after suffering an epileptic seizure, seizures and gastrointestinal bleeding.
He soon died in hospital from cardiac arrest.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada urged the public to celebrate “responsibly, carefully and with compassion.”
People celebrate Mexico’s victory over Ecuador. Getty
Brugada said about 1.4 million people were celebrating in the streets and urged the public to stop moving into the city center to ease overcrowding.
After the match on Tuesday night, the whole of Mexico City looked overwhelmed. Impromptu bands appeared on street corners, and carts carrying rockets known as torito slowly moved through streets so clogged that people could barely move.
Bottles of alcohol were passed from hand to hand among young revelers while hundreds more tried to push closer to the city center, some succeeding, many others retreating under the crush of the crowd.