Key facts
- Mexico City is doubling security and capping crowds for the Mexico-England World Cup match.
- Four fans died from asphyxiation and cardiac arrest after Mexico's win over Ecuador.
- 25,000 people will be allowed access to the Angel monument, with overflow directed to viewing areas.
- The Zócalo fan festival will also have capacity limits, with fans directed to over 50 other viewing areas.
- 6,000 officers will patrol Paseo de la Reforma, double the previous deployment.
- Alcohol sales will be banned in the city center on July 5 and July 6.
Mexico City is implementing significant security enhancements and crowd control measures for the upcoming Mexico-England World Cup match following the tragic deaths of four fans. The fans succumbed to asphyxiation and cardiac arrest during celebrations after Mexico's victory over Ecuador earlier in the week. Mayor Clara Brugada announced that access to popular fan gathering spots, including the Angel of Independence monument and the Zócalo fan festival, will be capped to prevent dangerous overcrowding. Once capacity is reached at these central locations, fans will be redirected to over 50 designated viewing areas across the city.
Security will be substantially increased, with 6,000 officers patrolling the Paseo de la Reforma, a doubling of the previous deployment. Additional police forces will be present around Azteca Stadium and the Zócalo. Measures such as establishing security perimeters, restricting street vendors and delivery drivers, and implementing strategic closures of public transport lines are also part of the plan. Furthermore, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited in the city center from early July 5 until the following day, with consumption only permitted in licensed establishments.
The Mexico City Attorney General's Office has opened an investigation into the four deaths, which occurred near the Paseo de la Reforma. The victims included two women aged 19 and 44, and a 48-year-old man. A 25-year-old man also died from cardiorespiratory arrest after being treated for epilepsy and gastrointestinal bleeding. The city's Civil Protection Secretary urged fans to avoid risky crowd activities.