At least two people died on Wednesday during celebrations held in Mexico City as the country’s national team advanced to the round of 16 at the World Cup, according to the local government. According to the city’s health secretary, a 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man died of asphyxiation.
The incident occurred at Paseo de la Reforma and Lancaster , in the Colonia Juárez neighborhood, when people were allegedly crushed against a public restroom trailer. The Health Secretariat reported: “On the streets of Hamburg and Lancaster, a report was received of two unconscious people, so the emergency response teams made up of paramedics, firefighters, Civil Protection personnel, officials from the Government Secretariat and preventive police officers went to the point to provide assistance; after performing first aid and CPR techniques on the patients, they were transferred to a hospital for specialized medical care.”
Personnel from the Rescue and Emergency Medical Squadron (ERUM), Firefighters, Red Cross and personnel from the Secretariat of Comprehensive Risk Management and Civil Protection reached the site soon after the incident was reported.
While local media reported the death of a third person as well, there has been no confirmation from the authorities.
Mexico delivered an impressive and stylish performance at the famous Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, defeating Ecuador 2–0 and ending a 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout-stage victory.
Their last win in such a match came in 1986, when they hosted the competition. As soon as the final whistle blew, celebrations spread throughout the country.
With this victory, Mexico have now gone 10 consecutive World Cup matches at the Azteca without defeat and will feel confident heading into the round of 16, where they could face either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More than a million fans gathered at the usual celebration spots around the capital, including areas such as Paseo de la Reforma, the Historic Center, and the Angel of Independence soon after the national team’s match against Ecuador concluded at the Mexico City Stadium.