Supporters are helped by others following a stampede throughout a soccer match between Alianza and FAS at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, on May 20, 2023.| Photo Credit: AFP

Twelve folks have been killed Saturday in a stampede at an El Salvador stadium the place soccer followers had gathered to look at a neighborhood match, police stated.

Authorities stated preliminary stories pointed to a crush of followers who tried to enter Cuscatlan Stadium within the Central American nation's capital San Salvador to look at a match between groups Alianza and FAS.

The match was suspended as emergency personnel evacuated folks from the stadium, the place a whole lot of law enforcement officials and troopers gathered as ambulance sirens wailed.

"Preliminarily, we have a negative result of 12 victims, nine who are here in the stadium and three more that we have been informed are in different hospital centers," National Civil Police (PNC) director Mauricio Arriaza advised reporters.

"Salvadoran soccer is in mourning," Arriaza stated.

Health Minister Francisco Alabi stated the nation's hospital community was "providing medical care to all patients."

Interior Minister Juan Carlos Bidegain stated the civil safety service's first responders have been on the scene.

Carlos Fuentes, spokesman for the emergency companies group Comandos de Salvamento, stated they have been treating greater than 500 folks.

About 100 folks in severe situation have been taken to hospital, with some exhibiting indicators of asphyxia and different forms of trauma, Fuentes stated.

The stampede apparently began after a stadium gate fell, inflicting folks to crowd collectively, he stated.

At least two of the injured have been in crucial situation, in response to police.

FIFA chief deplores ‘tragic’ stampede

FIFA’s chief supplied his condolences on May 21 after the ‘tragic’ stampede in El Salvador.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives after the tragic incidents that have taken place in El Salvador,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated in an announcement.

“Together with FIFA and the global football community, all our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected, as well as with the people of the Republic of El Salvador, the Concacaf Confederation, the Salvadoran Football Association, and the Primera Division de Futbol de El Salvador, at this difficult time,” Mr. Infantino stated.