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Egypt: 'At least 73' killed in Egypt football violence | |
(40 minutes later) | |
At least 73 people have been killed in fan clashes following a football match in the Egyptian city of Port Said, state television reports. | |
The deaths occurred after supporters invaded the pitch following a match between top-tier clubs Masry and al-Ahly on Wednesday. | |
It is feared the death toll could rise as scores have been injured. | It is feared the death toll could rise as scores have been injured. |
It is the biggest disaster in the country's football history, said the Egyptian deputy health minister. | |
Some of the dead were security officers, the Associated Press quoted a morgue official as saying. | |
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says it appears fans had taken knives into the stadium. | The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says it appears fans had taken knives into the stadium. |
Our correspondent says the lack of the usual level of security in the stadium might have contributed to the clashes. | Our correspondent says the lack of the usual level of security in the stadium might have contributed to the clashes. |
Police in Egypt have been keeping a much lower profile since last year's popular protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak from power. | Police in Egypt have been keeping a much lower profile since last year's popular protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak from power. |
Bitter rivalry | |
Television pictures have shown images of crowds descending into the stadium, chasing rival fans and players. | |
Some were cornered in the stadium, parts of which were set on fire. | |
Egyptian fans are notoriously violent, says our correspondent, particularly supporters of al-Ahly known as the Ultras. | |
They have been heavily implicated in the political confrontations recently, our correspondent adds. | They have been heavily implicated in the political confrontations recently, our correspondent adds. |
Wednesday's violence broke out at the end of the match, which, unusually, the Port Said side Masry won 3-1. | |
As match ended, their fans flooded onto the pitch attacking Ahly players and fans. | |
All premier league matches have been cancelled and the newly-elected Egyptian parliament is to hold an emergency session on Thursday, state TV has announced. | |
Were you at the match in Port Said? Did you see the pitch invasion? Share your experience by filling in the form below. | Were you at the match in Port Said? Did you see the pitch invasion? Share your experience by filling in the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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