Mexico World Cup celebrations turn deadly as four killed in massive crowd crush

What began as a celebration of Mexico's World Cup victory over Ecuador ended in tragedy after four people died during massive street celebrations in Mexico City.

Hundreds of thousands of supporters flooded the city centre on Tuesday following Mexico's Round of 32 win, with crowds stretching across Paseo de la Reforma and around the Angel of Independence. As more fans poured into the area, people became trapped in the crush while others pleaded for the pushing to stop.

One witness, who was caught in the crowd and emerged covered in dirt with one shoe missing, described the panic.

"No matter how much you tell them not to push, not to shove, they still move side to side. People who are trying to stand up get pushed and fall on top of others. What was experienced here was truly a tragedy," the witness said.

"The news won't say it. The news won't report any of this, obviously, much less will it appear on social media," he continued.

He also warned others to be cautious during future celebrations.

"There are things that make you trip: planters, trees that make you trip, and you fall there. And even if you try not to step on them, people push you. [...] It's your decision if you want to come. Just take many precautions," the witness added.

Mexico City Health Secretary Nadine Gasman Zylbermann confirmed that four people lost their lives during the celebrations.

"The four regrettable cases occurred in the vicinity of Paseo de la Reforma. Three, as has already been reported here, were due to asphyxia," she said.

The three victims were a 44-year-old man and two women aged 19 and 48. Gasman said paramedics performed advanced resuscitation at the scene before taking them to hospital, where they later died.

She added that the fourth victim, a man believed to be about 30 years old whose identity had not been confirmed, was treated for epileptic status, convulsive seizures and gastrointestinal bleeding before suffering cardiorespiratory arrest in hospital. He did not respond to resuscitation efforts.

Mexico City Head of Government Clara Brugada said the Attorney General's Office had opened investigations into each of the deaths.

"The Attorney General's Office has already opened investigation files in all cases regarding the events that led to the regrettable deaths of people. I urge that the investigation reach its ultimate conclusions and determine any responsibility involved," Brugada said.

City officials expressed condolences to the victims' families and said future mass celebrations must place greater emphasis on public safety.

Authorities said security had been reinforced before the celebrations, alcohol restrictions had been introduced in parts of the city and dozens of giant public screens had been installed to spread supporters across multiple locations. Despite those measures, officials estimated that between 800,000 and one million people gathered around the Angel of Independence.

Officials said crowd-control plans would be reviewed before Mexico's Round of 16 match against England on 5 July, when further large celebrations are expected.