Twenty seven football fans were injured in a stampede when revellers let off firecrackers just moments before the final whistle of France’s World Cup win in Nice, officials said.
Dramatic footage shared on social media appeared to show terrified punters scramble over other people and dodge chairs to escape a crowded bar during Tuesday’s clash with Belgium.
“There was a crowd surge after firecrackers were detonated,” Jean-Gabriel Delacroix from the city prefecture said, adding that 27 people were injured.
“Most of the injuries are glass cuts and bruising picked up when people fell.”
Mouvement de panique à #Nice06 Cours Saleya à la fin du match du #Mondial2018 #FRABEL pic.twitter.com/yVpbeog66g
— Robin Jouan (@Robin_ANEMF) July 10, 2018
The incident came just days before Bastille Day on Saturday. The national holiday marks two years since an Islamist militant ploughed into celebrating crowds in Nice, killing 86 people.
In Paris, tens of thousands of fans filled the Champs-Elysees as France won a spot in the World Cup final over Belgium.
Samuel Umtiti scored the winning goal for his team who will play either England or Croatia on Sunday.
Source: News Agencies
