At least two people lost their lives on Wednesday during large-scale celebrations in Mexico City after the Mexican national football team secured qualification for the next stage of the FIFA World Cup, local authorities have confirmed.
The city government disclosed that the fatalities occurred amid huge crowds that flooded the streets following Mexico’s historic victory over Ecuador.
According to the Mexico City Health Ministry, the victims were a 19-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, both of whom reportedly died from asphyxiation during the celebrations.
Officials have yet to verify reports of a possible third death, despite claims carried by several local media outlets.
Authorities said investigations into the incidents were ongoing as emergency services continued to monitor the aftermath of the nationwide celebrations.
The jubilant scenes erupted after Mexico defeated Ecuador to secure a place in the Round of 16, ending a decades-long wait for a World Cup knockout-stage victory.
The win marked Mexico’s first triumph in a World Cup knockout match since the 1986 tournament, a milestone that sparked emotional celebrations across the country.
Mexico is one of the co-hosts of the ongoing FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada.
The national team’s victory prompted enormous public gatherings, with supporters pouring into major roads, public squares and iconic landmarks to celebrate the achievement.
According to estimates released by the Mexico City government, more than one million fans gathered across the capital during the festivities.
The largest concentration of supporters assembled around the famous Angel of Independence monument, where thousands waved flags, sang patriotic songs and celebrated late into the night.
Emergency personnel and security agencies were deployed to manage the crowds and respond to incidents as the celebrations continued.
Authorities have urged the public to celebrate responsibly while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the reported fatalities.
