The Stade du 5 Juillet Stadium in Algeria was filled with electrifying energy as fans of MC Alger came together to celebrate their beloved team clinching the top-flight league title for the second year in a row. Emotions ran high as thousands of supporters packed into the 64,200-capacity arena in Algiers, waving flags, singing chants, and awaiting the team’s trophy presentation.
The club’s 0-0 draw against NC Magra was enough to secure them the title, and the air was thick with pride, excitement, and uncontainable enthusiasm. However, within moments, what was meant to be a historic night of celebration descended into tragedy, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and heartbreak.
As supporters surged forward to express their joy, a section of the upper stand’s security barrier gave way, sending dozens of jubilant fans plunging into the lower tiers of the stadium. What followed was sheer panic. Cries for help echoed through the structure, the stadium that had moments before reverberated with victory chants now rang with desperation. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but for three individuals, including a young supporter named Younes Amguzzi, it was already too late.
The Collapse and Immediate Aftermath
The horrifying incident occurred in the upper section of the Stade du 5 Juillet. A now-viral video circulating on social media captures the terrifying moment when a metal barrier collapsed as fans leaned forward in celebration. With no structural support remaining to stop them, dozens tumbled over the edge, crashing onto the concrete levels below. Stadium staff, fellow fans, and medical personnel immediately sprang into action, doing their best to help the injured amid the chaos.
Algeria’s Ministry of Health confirmed that at least 70 people were injured in the incident. Emergency medical responders were deployed to provide first aid and transport the severely injured to nearby hospitals. The Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured individuals, while Ben Aknoun Hospital reported 27 injuries. Bab El Oued Hospital, too, was pressed into service, treating 16 victims from the incident.
🇩🇿 ALGERIE: Tragédie au Stade du 5-Juillet 1962 à Alger
— AJIB.fr (@AJIB_fr) June 22, 2025
⚠️ Hier soir, alors que les supporters du MC Alger célébraient le 9ᵉ titre de champion d’Algérie, la fête a viré au drame. Une partie de la barrière d'une tribune située au 2ème étage s’est effondrée, provoquant la chute… pic.twitter.com/BrhJdFO1R3
News of the first death shook the stadium’s atmosphere. MC Alger’s official page posted a heartfelt message mourning the loss of Younes Amguzzi, one of their loyal supporters who succumbed to his injuries after falling from the upper stand. The club wrote: “It is with great sadness and sorrow and with hearts that we received the news of our supporter Younes Amguzzi, who passed away after falling from the upper stands.”
The Players’ and Club’s Response
As the extent of the tragedy became clear, the atmosphere within the stadium shifted from celebration to mourning. The club’s trophy presentation ceremony, which was supposed to be a moment of pure joy for players, fans, and management, was immediately postponed.
The players, visibly shaken, gathered alongside coaching staff and administrators, offering their support not just through words but through action. In a touching and united gesture, many members of the MC Alger team donated blood to aid those injured in the tragedy.
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This collective act of solidarity symbolized the true spirit of football—a community that rises to support one another in times of need. Players and fans who had come together to celebrate a title now found themselves joined in grief, honoring the memory of the lost and praying for the recovery of the injured. Even in sorrow, the bond between the club and its supporters remained unbroken.
The Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune also addressed the nation, offering his condolences to the families of the deceased and expressing his sorrow over the tragic events. He acknowledged the fans’ unwavering support and urged authorities to investigate the circumstances leading to the collapse, promising that the government would take necessary actions to prevent such a disaster from recurring.
Stadium Safety Under Scrutiny
In the wake of the tragedy, questions are being raised about stadium infrastructure and crowd management at large-scale sporting events in Algeria. The Stade du 5 Juillet is one of the country’s most iconic stadiums, named after Algeria’s Independence Day. With a seating capacity of over 64,000, it has hosted numerous major football events and is considered a proud symbol of Algerian sports culture.
However, the fatal incident has exposed vulnerabilities in its safety protocols and structural maintenance.Experts and fan safety advocates are demanding an urgent review of the stadium’s design, especially concerning the strength and integrity of barriers in high-capacity areas.
The video evidence showing the barrier’s collapse under the weight of leaning fans suggests a lack of routine inspections or failure to comply with modern safety standards. This is not the first time that overcrowding or infrastructural failure has led to fatalities at sporting events globally, and the incident in Algiers has once again highlighted the pressing need for preventative measures.
It is also critical to address crowd management policies. The surge that led to the collapse might have been avoided with stricter supervision and regulated fan movement in the upper tiers. While the passion of football supporters is a cherished aspect of the sport, ensuring their safety must take precedence. Lessons must be drawn from this incident not just by Algerian authorities, but by sports administrators around the world who host events attracting massive crowds.
Grief and Solidarity Beyond the Stadium
In the hours and days following the incident, condolences poured in from across Algeria and the broader football community. Clubs, players, and fans from rival teams set aside their competitive differences to express solidarity with MC Alger and the victims’ families. Candlelight vigils were held, and supporters organized blood donation drives in several cities as a gesture of compassion and unity.
The tragic fall of the three fans has now become a national mourning event, transforming the league victory into a somber moment in Algerian sports history. Social media has been flooded with tributes to the deceased, and many supporters have changed their profile pictures to black-and-white versions of the club’s emblem as a mark of respect.
Discussions have also intensified about the psychological impact on those who witnessed the accident, especially the young fans. Many present in the stadium have expressed deep emotional trauma after seeing people fall to their injuries. Counseling services have been recommended by public health officials for both victims and eyewitnesses.
The tragedy at the Stade du 5 Juillet is a painful reminder of the fine line between celebration and catastrophe in high-capacity public events. While fans poured into the stadium to express joy and pride, a structural failure turned their happiness into horror. As investigations are launched and calls for accountability grow louder, it is imperative that Algerian sports authorities not only uncover what went wrong but take concrete steps to safeguard spectators in the future.
Football has long been a unifying force in Algeria—a source of national identity, pride, and community. MC Alger’s historic title win should have been an occasion to celebrate the heights the club has reached. Instead, it is now marked by grief and reflection. For the families of the three fans who lost their lives, the league title will forever be associated with personal loss and a sense of injustice.
As fans continue to rally together, there is hope that this tragic incident will not be in vain. Let it serve as a catalyst for reform, for improved safety standards, and for a deeper commitment to the well-being of every individual who steps into a stadium with love for the game in their heart. Only then can football truly be a celebration for all.