Arabian Gulf Cup stampede
| Date | 19 January 2023 |
|---|---|
| Time | 10:00–14:00 GMT |
| Location | Al-Fayhaa Stadium ملعب الفيحاء[1] |
| Coordinates | 30°26′33″N 47°46′47″E / 30.44250°N 47.77972°E |
| Deaths | 4[2] |
| Non-fatal injuries | > 80[2] |
The 2023 Arabian Gulf Cup Stampede was an overcrowding stampede that took place at a Basra International Stadium in Basra ahead of the Arabian Gulf Cup final between Iraq and Oman. It was caused by fans who tried to enter Basra Stadium despite not having a ticket[3][2] resulting in four deaths and more than 80 injuries, some of which were critical. It occurred on January 19, 2023, in the Iraqi city of Basra. It was the worst football disaster in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's regime was deposed.[citation needed]
Background
The stampede occurred at Al-Fayhaa Stadium in Iraq during the final match of the 2023 Arabian Gulf Cup between Iraq and Oman. It occurred when thousands[4] of fans without tickets waited outside Basra International Stadium since daybreak in the hopes of viewing the rare home international match, resulting in four deaths and more than 80 injuries, some of which were critical.
Events
On January 19, 2023, four persons were killed in a stampede as crowds attempted to enter the stadium. The game was an Arabian Gulf Cup match between Iraq and Oman, and it was overcrowded by fans. The match was played on Thursday night, and Iraq won the eight-nation event by defeating Oman 3-2.[5] In a statement, Iraq's interior ministry encouraged anyone who did not have tickets to the final to leave the area around the stadium. It stated that the stadium was completely full and that all gates had been closed. Despite the tragic stampede, the Gulf Cup final match went forward as planned.[6]
See also
- 2005 Al-Aimmah Bridge disaster
- Karbala stampede
- Hillsborough disaster
- Oppenheimer Stadium disaster
- Ellis Park Stadium disaster
- Accra Sports Stadium disaster
- Heysel Stadium disaster
References
- ^ "Al Fayhaa Stadium in Basra". worldstadiums.com. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
- ^ a b c "Four dead, dozens injured in stampede at Gulf Cup in Iraq - Football News - Al Jazeera". Al Jazeera. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Ticketless fans, organisers blamed for Iraq stadium stampede - Football News - Al Jazeera". Al Jazeera. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Iraq stadium stampede: Football fan killed, dozens left injured - Arabian Business". Arabian Business. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Manaf Younis nets winner to help Iraq edge out Oman 3-2 in Gulf Cup final - Football – Gulf News". Gulf News. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Gulf Cup soccer final in Iraq to take place despite stampede - CNN". CNN. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.