Football fans killed in stampede at match between Motagua and Honduras Progreso

At least four people died and dozens more were injured after a stampede at a football match in Honduras.

Television footage shows crowds of people trying to get into the stadium for the sold-out match between Motagua and Honduras Progreso in the Honduran capital on Sunday.

Officials have reported that 25 people were also injured in the incident. Investigations are continuing.

Associated Press has reported that a police statement claimed too many tickets had been sold, although Motagua have denied this was the case.

The club said they warned „responsible authorities immediately that fake tickets were being circulated“.

They said the forged tickets „enabled people to enter the stadium illegally to watch the final between Motagua and El Progreso – people who apparently occupied seats that were not theirs, forcing others to leave the area“.
The match did take place with Motagua winning the title play-off match at the 35,000-capacity national stadium in Tegucigalpa. They won 3-0 meaning a 7-1 aggregate victory.

In a statement Motagua expressed „its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the four people who sadly died in the accident at the start of the final“, wishing „a speedy recovery to those injured“.

They added: „It is important to bear in mind that all the ticket sales are supervised, and in this case approved, by the national commission for sports facilities (Conapid), which is an agency of the Honduras government.

„The club is helping in the investigation into what happened at the stadium, which was under police control – according to the rules – as always 48 hours before any sports event.“