Mexico City World Cup celebrations leave three dead from suffocation

Mexico City World Cup celebrations leave three dead from suffocation

A historic victory for the Mexican national team turned fatal on Tuesday, July 1, as three people died from suffocation during massive celebrations in Mexico City. The deaths occurred as more than one million people flooded the streets to celebrate Mexico's 2-0 win over Ecuador in the World Cup round of 32.

The victims included a 19-year-old woman, a 44-year-old man, and a 48-year-old woman. According to the capital's health authority, emergency services treated three unconscious individuals at different locations around Paseo de la Reforma, the city's most emblematic boulevard. Authorities noted that the boulevard and surrounding streets had been closed to traffic to accommodate the celebrations.

The health authority initially announced on social media that the 44-year-old man and 19-year-old woman had died following advanced resuscitation efforts. A later update from the health secretariat stated that a 48-year-old woman, who had been treated for asphyxiation on a nearby street, died after being transported to a hospital.

Emergency teams performed first aid and CPR techniques before the patients were moved for specialized medical care. Despite these protocols, all three were confirmed to have died from suffocation and were identified by their families.

The fatalities occurred near the Angel of Independence monument in downtown Mexico City. This specific area had been the subject of a prior warning from City Mayor Clara Brugada, who had told fans intending to watch the game near the monument to look elsewhere because of the huge crowds already gathering there.

The scale of the gathering was immense, with the city government reporting more than one million people in the streets. The euphoria was driven by Mexico's first World Cup knockout win since 1986. While fireworks were seen across large parts of the city and wild celebrations took place at the Estadio Azteca, social media footage captured a different scene: paramedics tending to distressed people lying on the ground in the streets.

Mayor Brugada expressed her most sincere condolences to the families of the victims and pledged support in the coming days. In a post on X, she detailed the emergency response:

"The emergency teams of Mexico City immediately attended to the report of three unconscious individuals at different points near Paseo de la Reforma. All medical response protocols were activated; however, sadly, they lost their lives."

Clara Brugada, Mayor of Mexico City, via X

The Mayor urged fans to always celebrate with responsibility, care, and empathy.

Mexico City's metropolitan area, home to more than 20 million people, is one of the most densely populated places on the planet and is accustomed to hosting huge crowds.

The victory sends Mexico into the round of 16. Mexico could face Thomas Tuchel's England side if the English team wins their match on Wednesday.