One person has been killed and dozens more injured at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima, Peru, according to the football club Alianza Lima, as officials investigate the cause of the incident. The tragedy occurred during a pre-match ‘flag-waving event’ on Friday, a day before a derby match between Alianza Lima and their local rivals, Universitario de Deportes.

Stadium Wall Collapse or Structural Failure?

Initial reports suggested parts of the stadium’s wall had collapsed, but Alianza Lima denied any structural failures, though the club made the statement on X, emphasizing its commitment to transparency in the ongoing investigation. Fire officials also confirmed that there were no collapsed walls or sections that had fallen into the pit, according to the fire chief, Marcos Pajuelo, who spoke to the news channel Canal N.

Pajuelo added that there had been no debris found at the scene, which contradicted earlier reports that suggested parts of the stadium’s structure may have collapsed. The interior ministry had previously reported on X that 40 firefighters responded to an emergency at the stadium, where people were trapped in a structure; However, no official confirmation has been given about the nature of the structure or the number of people involved.

Official Response and Casualty Numbers

The Peruvian health minister. Juan Carlos Velasco Guerrero. Confirmed the death and said that 47 people had been injured, with three of them in critical condition; According to media reports, the club stated that 60 people were injured, though the exact number may vary depending on the source.

Alianza Lima offered condolences for the casualties and said it would fully cooperate with the authorities to determine the cause of the incident, and the club’s statement on X emphasized its commitment to transparency and the importance of ensuring the safety of fans and staff at all times.

The Peruvian professional soccer league confirmed that Saturday’s match would proceed as planned. The league said in a statement that it would continue to work closely with the clubs and authorities to promote safe environments both inside and outside the stadiums. The league also emphasized its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all individuals attending sporting events.

Stadium’s Age and Infrastructure

The Alejandro Villanueva Stadium. Commonly referred to as Matute, was built in the 1970s and is located in the Matute neighborhood of the La Victoria district in Lima. The stadium has a capacity of more than 33,900 seats and has not undergone significant modernization since its construction.

According to The Stadium Guide, the stadium has remained a ‘fairly basic ground,’ with limited upgrades over the years. In 2010, the wooden benches were replaced by plastic seats, but no major structural improvements have been made since then. Alianza Lima was reportedly exploring ways to upgrade the stadium, including increasing its capacity to 40,000 spectators and planning for a new arena that could hold 60,000.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of older stadiums, especially those hosting large crowds for high-stakes matches. Despite the club’s efforts to improve conditions, the lack of significant investment in infrastructure has left the stadium vulnerable to potential risks, especially during large-scale events.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the tragedy. As the inquiry continues, the focus remains on understanding what led to the deaths and injuries, as well as what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.