A Jordanian fan died and eight others were injured Tuesday in a stampede at the Roman theater in Amman, where thousands of people had gathered to watch the match against Algeria in the Football World Cup, Jordanian authorities announced.
The spokesperson for the Directorate of Public Security indicated in a press release that “nine people were transferred to hospital at dawn on Tuesday after being injured in a crowd movement on Hashemite Square”, near the Roman theater, where giant screens had been installed for the broadcast of the World Cup matches.
He added that “one of the injured died shortly after admission” and was transferred to the forensic institute to determine the exact cause of his death. The others received treatment and their condition is considered stable to moderate, he said.
A medical source specified that the victim, a Jordanian supporter, was around twenty years old.
Thousands of Jordanians gathered on the night of Monday to Tuesday to attend their team’s second match in this historic site which can accommodate around 6,000 people. But according to a ministerial source, more than 15,000 spectators were present.
On the field, Algeria toppled Jordan after trailing in the first half, eventually winning 2-1 in Santa Clara, San Francisco, on the second day of group play.
Jordan had already lost its first match last Wednesday against Austria (3-1), while Argentina, reigning world champion, occupies the head of the group after two days.
