Two football fans died in Chile during a Copa Libertadores match between Colo Colo and Fortaleza

Two football fans tragically lost their lives outside Estadio Monumental in Santiago before a highly anticipated Copa Libertadores match between Colo Colo and Fortaleza on Thursday night, according to reports from a local prosecutor.

The unfortunate incident occurred when a group of fans attempted to force their way into the stadium. As tensions escalated, they tore down protective fences meant to regulate access. In a chaotic turn of events, the victims became trapped beneath the fallen fencing, leading to the heartbreaking fatalities.

Following this incident, the match was abruptly suspended in the 70th minute due to the unruly behavior of fans inside the stadium. However, it remains unclear whether this disruption was directly related to the earlier tragic events outside.

Eastern Flagrancy Prosecutor Francisco Morales provided further insights, revealing that a group of ardent fans had tried to enter the Estadio Monumental through the adjacent Casa Alba building, showcasing their desperation to attend the match. Police forces attempted to thwart their entrance, but this intervention triggered a stampede, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of a fence. “We are currently investigating whether a police vehicle was involved in the death,” Morales added, highlighting ongoing inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Authorities confirmed that one of the deceased victims was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second succumbed to their injuries at a nearby medical clinic. These deaths have cast a somber shadow over the sporting event, prompting a response from the governing body of South American football.

CONMEBOL, the organization responsible for overseeing football in the region, issued an official statement expressing their deep regret over the deaths of the two fans near the Monumental Stadium. “CONMEBOL deeply regrets the death of two fans near the Monumental Stadium before the start of the match between Colo Colo and Fortaleza,” they stated. The federation extended its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, acknowledging the profound impact of this tragic loss on the football community and beyond.