Three soccer fans died and more than 70 others sustained injuries when a security barrier collapsed in the upper stands of the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers, Algeria, on Saturday, June 21, following MC Alger’s league title victory.
The incident occurred immediately after the final whistle as MC Alger secured their second consecutive top-flight championship with a 0-0 draw against NC Magra. Jubilant supporters surged forward in celebration when the barrier in the upper tier gave way, causing dozens of fans to fall into the lower stands below.
Algeria’s Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties in a Facebook statement, detailing the distribution of the injured across three major medical facilities in the capital. Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people and recorded the three fatalities. Ben Aknoun Hospital treated 27 injured supporters, while Bab El Oued Hospital received 16 patients. Most of the injured have since been released from medical care.
MC Alger identified one of the victims as Younes Amgozi, a club supporter. The team posted a tribute on Instagram expressing their grief over his death.
The 85,000-capacity stadium was packed for the championship-deciding match, with green smoke from flares engulfing the venue during the celebratory atmosphere. Local media reports indicated that footage from broadcaster El Heddaf TV showed sections of the collapsed railing in the lower tier area where fans had fallen.
Emergency services responded immediately to the scene, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals throughout Algiers. MC Alger players and staff demonstrated solidarity by visiting the medical facilities to donate blood for the injured supporters.
The planned trophy presentation ceremony was postponed in response to the disaster. The celebration that should have marked MC Alger’s successful title defense instead became overshadowed by the loss of life and injuries sustained during the barrier collapse.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident. His office issued statements acknowledging the severity of the stadium disaster.
The Confederation of African Football also responded to the tragedy through its president, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, who expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and injuries. The organization extended condolences to the Algerian Football Federation, the Algerian government, and President Tebboune.
MC Alger, founded in 1921, plays in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1, the country’s top division. The club’s colors are red, green and white, and their regular home ground is the Ali La Pointe Stadium, which has a 40,000-person capacity. The team had the highest market value among Algerian football clubs as of the 2023-2024 season, valued at 9.68 million euros.
The 5 July 1962 Stadium, inaugurated in 1972, serves as both a football and athletics venue in Algiers. The facility was hosting the crucial match that would determine MC Alger’s championship victory when the structural failure occurred.
The Algerian government has formally set up a high-level investigative commission to examine the causes and determine all shortcomings and responsibilities surrounding the fatal incident.
The meeting took place on Monday morning, June 23, at the Ministry of the Interior’s headquarters, following direct orders from Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui. Minister Brahim Merad, who oversees the Interior, Local Assemblies, and Territorial Planning, personally managed the commission’s establishment, highlighting the seriousness of the issue and the government’s strong dedication to openness and responsibility.
The commission consists of representatives from the Ministries of the Interior, Justice, Housing, and Sports, as well as senior officials from the National Gendarmerie Command, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the Technical Building Control Authority (CTC), and leaders from MC Alger Football Club, whose stadium was the scene of the incident.
