4 killed in crowd surge during Mexico World Cup celebrations

Four people were killed as huge crowds flooded Mexico City to celebrate Mexico’s win over Ecuador in the World Cup, according to officials.

The deaths happened around the Angel of Independence, where about 1 million people gathered after Mexico advanced to the next round, according to city officials. The monument, on Paseo de la Reforma, is one of the capital’s main gathering points for national celebrations.

Mexico City officials said the victims were two women, ages 19 and 48, and two men, ages 30 and 44.

Three of them died from asphyxia after being pulled from the crowd, health officials announced. Emergency crews tried to revive them at the scene and while taking them to hospitals, but they later died.

The fourth victim died after arriving at a hospital with what officials described as suspected intoxication, seizures and gastrointestinal bleeding. He later went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

Police said they will assist in the investigation to determine exactly what happened and how the victims were caught in the crowd.

Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 16, setting off celebrations across the country. Officials said 80,824 people attended the match at Mexico City Stadium, while tens of thousands more gathered at public viewing sites and fan events.