Stampede Outside Stadium in Iraq Kills 2, Injures Dozens

This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)
This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)
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Stampede Outside Stadium in Iraq Kills 2, Injures Dozens

This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)
This aerial view taken on January 16, 2023 shows Iraq supporters gathering in a designated fan zone in Iraq's southern city on to watch the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final football match between Iraq and Qatar. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)

A stampede outside a stadium in the southern Iraqi city of Basra killed at least two people and injured dozens Thursday.

The Iraqi News Agency said one person was killed and 60 people were injured outside the Basra International Stadium. Some of them are in critical condition.

A doctor at Basra General Hospital told The Associated Press that two people were killed and 38 were injured, some of whom have been discharged from the hospital.

The deadly incident happened as spectators gathered to attend the final match in the first international soccer tournament held in the country in four decades.

The final match in the eight-nation Arabian Gulf Cup is scheduled to be held later Thursday between Iraq and Oman.

But the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation is considering postponing the final match or moving it to another country if the security situation does not improve, Basra governor Asaad Abdel Amir told Reuters.

The tournament started on Jan. 6, with teams from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — as well as Yemen and Iraq. It’s the first time since 1979 that Iraq has hosted the tournament.



Bundesliga Club Heidenheim Accuses Berlin Police of 'Extreme Violence' Against its Fans

10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
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Bundesliga Club Heidenheim Accuses Berlin Police of 'Extreme Violence' Against its Fans

10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa

Bundesliga club Heidenheim has accused Berlin police of extreme violence leaving some of its fans needing medical treatment following Saturday’s game at Union Berlin.
Five Heidenheim supporters were arrested and three of them charged, two for alleged vandalism and another for alleged insulting behavior, the police told news agency dpa on Sunday.
The club said the police detained several of its supporters before the match for the “unauthorized posting of stickers during the fan march, which had previously passed without incident.”
“The police also acted with extreme violence without any apparent reason or clear communication after the game, directly before we left the guests’ parking lot,” Heidenheim board member Petra Saretz said in a club statement, according to The Associated Press.
The incidents before the match led Heidenheim’s supporters to refrain from active support during the match, which the team won 3-0 to be sure of at least a relegation playoff.
“We feel obligated to call out the disproportionate violence used by Berlin police against Heidenheim fans yesterday and hope therefore that the authorities will provide clarification for this incomprehensible action,” said Heidenheim chairman Holger Sanwald, who thanked Union staff and others for their support during the incidents.