Three die in crush during Mexico City World Cup celebrations

MEXICO CITY: Three people died from suffocation after large crowds gathered on the streets of Mexico City to celebrate the national team’s World Cup victory over Ecuador, the capital’s health secretariat said early Wednesday.

The deaths occurred near the Angel of Independence monument, where thousands of supporters had assembled after Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32. Authorities said emergency teams attended to three unconscious people at separate points around Paseo de la Reforma, the city’s main boulevard, which had been closed to traffic along with surrounding streets for the celebrations.

In an initial message posted on social media, the health authority said the deaths of a 44-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman had been confirmed after they received advanced resuscitation efforts. In a later update, the secretariat said a third victim, a 48-year-old woman, suffered asphyxiation on a nearby street and died after being taken to hospital.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada expressed condolences to the victims’ families in a post on X and urged people to

always celebrate with responsibility, care, and empathy

Celebrations after historic win

Fans poured into the streets after Mexico ended a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout-stage victory. The 2-0 win over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium sent the co-hosts into the last 16 and triggered jubilant scenes across the capital.

The atmosphere in the city centre was marked by cheering and chants, but images circulated on social media also showed emergency responders and paramedics helping distressed people lying on nearby streets.

Mexico City’s metropolitan area, home to more than 20 million residents, regularly hosts major public gatherings and large-scale celebrations.