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Egypt football violence : 73 killed and many hurted

At least 73 people were killed and up to a 1,000 injured following clashes and a stampede at a football stadium in the Egyptian city of Port Said Wednesday night.

Numerous fans rushed to the field after their home team from Port Said, Al-Masry, defeated Al-Ahly, one of Egypt’s top clubs from Cairo, 3-1, reported RIA Novosti.

They first clashed with rival fans of the Cairo-based club and then attacked the players and coaching staff from Al-Ahly. The attack resulted in a stampede at the stadium, which was attended by some 40,000 people that night.

A spokesperson for the country’s health ministry said most of the deaths were caused by injuries sustained in the stampede, concussions and deep cuts to the heads.

Another football game between Al-Ismaili and Zamalek teams in Cairo was called off after the news about the melee in Port Said broke out. Cairo fans angered by the violence in Port Said set the stadium on fire. National television reported that firefighters extinguished the blaze and no one was hurt.

The Egyptian Football Association has ordered to postpone indefinitely all matches of the country’s championship and the parliament has called for an emergency session Thursday.