Rescue workers in western Guatemala reported at least nine deaths and 20 injuries early Thursday morning following an independence day event.
According to the rescue organization’s Twitter, “the Guatemalan Red Cross and volunteer firemen stabilized more than 20 injured individuals and nine perished at the scene” of the stampede in the city of Quetzaltenango.
As thousands of people left an outdoor esplanade following a piece of music at the annual “Xelafer” festival, the local press stated that the victims were crushed.
The previous two years’ celebrations had been canceled owing to the coronavirus pandemic, therefore this year was the first time in three years that Guatemala celebrated its independence from Spain.
#Quetzaltenango #Guatemala🇬🇹- At least nine people killed and 20 others injured after a human stampede occurred at the Central American Independence Fair (Xelafer) event in Zone 9 of #Xela [📹@stereo100xela] pic.twitter.com/qmZSlbmhTX
— CyclistAnons (@CyclistAnons) September 15, 2022
On September 15, 1821, Guatemala declared its independence from the Spanish colonial government.
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