Egypt: At Least 73 Killed In Soccer Riot
By VOA
Egyptian health ministry officials say at least 73 people were killed and hundreds of others injured Wednesday in violence following a soccer match in the northern city of Port Said.
Fans of the home team, al-Masry, swarmed the field after a rare win against al-Ahly, Egypt’s top team. They threw rocks, fireworks and bottles at opposing fans and players. Live television footage showed fans running onto the field and chasing al-Ahly players. The footage also showed images of a fire in the stadium.
Soon after the violence, another match in the capital, Cairo, was halted by the referee after receiving news of the violence in Port Said, a city on the Mediterranean coast.
Violence at soccer matches across North Africa has increased significantly since political unrest sweeping across the region began more than a year ago.
