(Reuters) – A football fan died in Argentina and the game between Gimnasia La Plata and Boca Juniors was abandoned on Thursday after tear gas fired by police outside the venue poured into the stadium, making it difficult for players and spectators to breathe.
The circumstances of the death were unclear, but Sergio Berni, Buenos Aires Provincial Security Minister, told local TV the fan died of a heart problem while exiting Juan Carmelo Zerillo Stadium in La Plata.
The incident comes five days after a stampede at a soccer game in Indonesia that killed at least 131 people as fans tried to flee a riot and tear gas fired by police in one of the world’s worst sporting disasters.
According to Argentine authorities, Gimnasia fans tried to enter the already packed stadium and police used rubber bullets and tear gas to push them back.
Players were seen covering their faces while fans entered the field as they tried to escape the tear gas. The Argentine first division game was stopped after nine minutes.
ESPN quoted Gimnasia player Leonardo Morales as saying: “My two-year-old son couldn’t breathe. We are desperate and worried about all the people in the stands.
“We played a normal football game and it evolved into this and the feeling that our relatives almost died.”
Berni said his ministry would launch an investigation into the incident, adding that tickets may have been oversold, but home team Gimnasia said this was not the case and they had followed safety protocols.
“We will call for an investigation into what happened until those responsible for this tragic day are known,” the club said in a statement.