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Egypt football violence leaves many dead in Port Said | |
(40 minutes later) | |
At least 73 people have been killed in clashes between rival fans following a football match in the Egyptian city of Port Said, state television reports. | |
The deaths occurred as supporters invaded the pitch after a match between top-tier clubs Masry and al-Ahly on Wednesday. | |
It is feared the death toll could rise as about 156 people have been hurt. | |
It is the biggest disaster in the country's football history, said the Egyptian deputy health minister. | It is the biggest disaster in the country's football history, said the Egyptian deputy health minister. |
"This is unfortunate and deeply saddening," Hesham Sheiha told state television. | |
Some of the dead were security officers, the Associated Press news agency quoted a morgue official as saying. | |
The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says it appears some 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. |
Egyptian fans are notoriously violent, says our correspondent, particularly supporters of al-Ahly known as the Ultras. | 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. |
Bitter rivalry | |
Football fans in Egypt can be violent, and certainly there is a bitter rivalry between these two teams. | |
The al-Ahly fans, known as Ultras, have a particular reputation for violence. | |
But lately they have been at the forefront of clashes with the police. | |
On the social media, there has been speculation - and I hasten to add there is no evidence - that the security forces may have had an interest in taking on al-Ahly supporters. | |
Certainly riot police did not seem to be very effective, they were standing around, but maybe there simply were not enough there. | |
Wednesday's violence broke out at the end of the match, which, unusually, Port Said side Masry won 3-1. | |
As match ended, their fans flooded onto the pitch attacking Ahly players and fans. | As match ended, their fans flooded onto the pitch attacking Ahly players and fans. |
A small group of riot police tried to protect the players, but were overwhelmed. | |
Part of the stadium was set on fire. | |
Helicopters are being sent to Port Said to transport injured fans. | |
"This is not football. This is a war and people are dying in front of us," al-Ahly player Mohamed Abo Treika said. | |
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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