In the wake of a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of four people during Mexico’s celebratory events following a football victory over Ecuador, President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured international visitors that the country remains a safe destination. The president emphasized that efforts are underway to enhance public safety during large gatherings, stressing that the unfortunate event should not deter tourism. Her remarks came after the United Kingdom updated its travel advisory, urging its citizens to exercise caution during future celebrations due to increased reports of mobile phone theft and drink spiking.
President Sheinbaum highlighted that local authorities in Mexico City have already initiated additional safety measures following the incident, where three individuals succumbed to asphyxiation and another experienced a fatal cardiac arrest amid the massive crowd of over a million near Paseo de la Reforma. To mitigate such risks in the future, the city plans to install more large screens along the avenue to disperse the crowds and reduce density. The president noted that security personnel, along with officials from the federal government and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, will continue to play a pivotal role in managing and guiding fans during these events.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada announced that the city will bolster civil protection, healthcare, and public security measures as they prepare for the next major football celebration on Sunday. The previous gathering, with an estimated 1.4 million attendees, marked the largest public crowd ever recorded in the city’s history. Despite the deployment of approximately 15,000 police officers, including over 4,200 stationed along Paseo de la Reforma, the tragic incident could not be averted. Brugada emphasized the need for better crowd management strategies moving forward.
City officials are urging fans to celebrate across multiple locations rather than concentrating around the Angel of Independence monument to alleviate crowd density. Additionally, there are calls for responsible alcohol consumption, with potential restrictions on alcohol sales in central areas during major public events under consideration. As preparations continue for the anticipated large turnout this weekend, officials are expected to announce further crowd management and safety measures to ensure the well-being of all attendees.