AMMAN — A stampede at a public World Cup match viewing event in Jordan’s capital left one person dead and eight others injured after large crowds gathered to watch the national team’s match against Algeria, Jordanian authorities said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at Hashemite Plaza in central Amman, where thousands of football fans had assembled to watch the match on giant screens, according to the Jordan News Agency, citing the country’s Public Security Directorate (PSD). Emergency responders transported nine injured people to hospitals after crowd congestion and movement led to a crush at the venue. One of the injured later died, authorities said.
The PSD said the remaining eight injured people suffered wounds ranging from minor to moderate. Authorities did not immediately release the identity of the deceased, and officials said experts were working to determine the exact cause of death.
Jordan’s state-run news agency reported that the crowd surge occurred during a gathering of supporters watching Jordan’s World Cup group-stage match against Algeria. The match ended in a 2-1 victory for Algeria, eliminating Jordan from the tournament.
“This year was the first that Jordan qualified for the World Cup,” the Associated Press reported, noting that the tournament marked the country’s debut appearance on football’s biggest stage. The historic qualification had generated widespread public enthusiasm, with large viewing events organized across the kingdom.
Witness accounts were not immediately available, and authorities have not publicly identified a single cause for the crowd crush. Officials said investigations were continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Large crowds had gathered throughout Amman to follow the match, including at public squares, cafes and other designated viewing locations. Images from the capital showed thousands of supporters watching games on large outdoor screens during Jordan’s World Cup campaign.
Crowd-management incidents at major sporting events have drawn increased attention from safety officials worldwide, particularly at venues experiencing unusually large attendance. Jordanian authorities did not immediately indicate whether additional security or crowd-control measures would be introduced for future public gatherings. Details remain unclear.
By Wednesday, officials said the injured fans were receiving medical care and remained in stable condition. The Public Security Directorate said the investigation into the fatal incident was ongoing, while tributes to the deceased appeared on social media from football supporters mourning the loss during what had been a landmark tournament for Jordanian sport.
