12-10-2005, 10:59 AM
Brazil fans hurt in stadium crush
Fans packed into the Mangueirao stadium for a view of their heroes
Dozens of football fans have been injured in a crush at the stadium where Brazil were training for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.
The Brazilian Globonews television channel said the initial injury toll was about 100, including children.
Pictures showed chaotic scenes at the Mangueirao stadium in Belem.
Reports said the stadium was full an hour before the open practice was due to start when fans who had been unable to get in forced open the gates.
Fans were seen running, falling over each other and being trampled on amid a background of screaming and wailing sirens.
Riot police were brought in and used pepper spray to control the situation.
Jaime Bastos, the doctor responsible for the stadium's first aid post, said he had lost count of the number of people he had treated.
"When everyone comes in at once, you can't note down anything," Bastos said.
World champions Brazil often allow their fans to watch them practice before home internationals.
The sessions are popular with ordinary Brazilians who cannot afford tickets to international matches. The fee for this session was a donation of a kilo of non-perishable food.
Belem police chief Roberto Damaceno was quoted as saying the stadium's capacity was about 45,000, although there may have been 55,000 inside and 15,000 outside unable to get in.
Despite the chaos, the training session went ahead as planned.
Brazil have already qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany while Venezuela have been eliminated.
55.000 toeschouwers voor een training??? :eeeek:
Fans packed into the Mangueirao stadium for a view of their heroes
Dozens of football fans have been injured in a crush at the stadium where Brazil were training for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.
The Brazilian Globonews television channel said the initial injury toll was about 100, including children.
Pictures showed chaotic scenes at the Mangueirao stadium in Belem.
Reports said the stadium was full an hour before the open practice was due to start when fans who had been unable to get in forced open the gates.
Fans were seen running, falling over each other and being trampled on amid a background of screaming and wailing sirens.
Riot police were brought in and used pepper spray to control the situation.
Jaime Bastos, the doctor responsible for the stadium's first aid post, said he had lost count of the number of people he had treated.
"When everyone comes in at once, you can't note down anything," Bastos said.
World champions Brazil often allow their fans to watch them practice before home internationals.
The sessions are popular with ordinary Brazilians who cannot afford tickets to international matches. The fee for this session was a donation of a kilo of non-perishable food.
Belem police chief Roberto Damaceno was quoted as saying the stadium's capacity was about 45,000, although there may have been 55,000 inside and 15,000 outside unable to get in.
Despite the chaos, the training session went ahead as planned.
Brazil have already qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany while Venezuela have been eliminated.
55.000 toeschouwers voor een training??? :eeeek: