 | |
| Date | 17 February 1974 |
|---|---|
| Location | Zamalek Stadium, Cairo, Egypt |
| Coordinates | 30°3′31″N31°12′13″E / 30.05861°N 31.20361°E |
| Cause | Crowd crush |
| Deaths | at least 48 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 50 |
A crowd crush occurred on 17 February 1974 when fans were crushed before the kick-off of a football friendly match at the Zamalek Stadium in Cairo between Zamalek of Egypt and Dukla Prague of Czechoslovakia. [1]
The total death toll is reported variously as 48, [1] 49, [2] [3] or 50; [4] 50 more were injured during this event. [2]
Following a change of venue for the match, many supporters thought they would not be able to enter the newly chosen stadium (because the previously intended venue, Nasser Stadium, was much larger). [2] There was a stampede, [1] [5] the walls crumbled, [4] and many people were left dead. According to reports, up to 80,000 people tried to access the stadium, despite the capacity at the time being just 40,000. [6] It was the first football disaster in Egypt. [7]
