Mexican health authorities confirmed Wednesday that four people died during mass celebrations in downtown Mexico City after the national team's victory over Ecuador secured a place in the World Cup Round of 16. The deaths occurred amid massive crowds that gathered near the Angel of Independence monument.
Three deaths confirmed by asphyxiation
Mexico City's Health Secretariat reported on social media platform X that two women and one man were found unconscious on streets near the iconic Angel of Independence monument, where thousands had gathered Tuesday night to celebrate. The victims, aged 48, 44, and 19, died of asphyxiation, according to authorities. No additional details about the circumstances were provided.
Fourth victim dies in hospital
Later Wednesday, Mexico City Health Secretary Nadine Gasman told a news conference that another man, approximately 30 years old, was treated by emergency personnel after suffering an epileptic seizure, convulsions, and gastrointestinal bleeding. He died shortly afterward at a hospital of cardiorespiratory arrest.
Mayor urges responsible celebrations
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said on social media that emergency crews responded immediately after receiving reports of the three unconscious people, but they had already died. Brugada urged the public to celebrate “responsibly, carefully and with empathy.”
Massive turnout overwhelms city
Fireworks lit up the sky around the Independence Monument — popularly known as “El Ángel” — on Tuesday night as thousands of Mexicans celebrated along the 5-kilometer (3-mile) Paseo de la Reforma, which links the capital’s main square, the Zócalo, with Chapultepec Park. In a video posted Tuesday on social media, Brugada said about 1.4 million people were celebrating in the streets and urged the public to stop heading to the city center to ease overcrowding. Instead, she encouraged people to attend a concert by a popular cumbia band in the eastern part of the city.
Chaotic scenes on the streets
All of Mexico City seemed overwhelmed Tuesday night. Improvised bands sprang up on street corners, while carts loaded with rockets known as “toritos” inched through streets so packed that people could barely move. Bottles of alcohol were passed from hand to hand among young revelers as hundreds more tried to push closer to the city center, some succeeding, many others turned back by the crush of the crowd.
