A tragic incident occurred in the Jordanian capital, Amman, during a public viewing event for the Jordan-Algeria match, held as part of the World Cup tournament in which Jordan is participating for the first time.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, a massive crowd gathered at Hashemi Square to watch the game together, leading to a dangerous surge among the thousands of fans in attendance.
The incident unfolded as the crowd became unmanageable during the match, which ultimately saw Jordan defeated with a score of 2-1.
Emergency medical teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. According to official reports, nine individuals injured in the crush were rushed to nearby hospitals. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, one person succumbed to their severe injuries. The condition of the remaining eight individuals is reported to be stable, ranging from mild to moderate.
Local authorities and law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials are currently examining whether the overcrowding was caused by a failure to adhere to safety protocols or if the turnout significantly exceeded initial crowd control estimates.
Public viewing events for major sporting tournaments, such as the World Cup, are common worldwide, often drawing large crowds to city squares and stadiums. However, such gatherings require stringent safety measures, including crowd control barriers, designated entry and exit points, and adequate security personnel to manage the flow of spectators and prevent dangerous surges.
