73 die as Egypt soccer fans clash

Feb 1 2012

At least 73 people have died in clashes after a football match in Egypt, state TV says.

Rival fans flooded onto the pitch, hurling stones and sticks at each other and sparking a stampede.

One thousand other people were injured, the Health Ministry said.

A medical official said some of the dead were security officers.

Egypt's state prosecutor has ordered an immediate investigation into the causes of the deaths.

Witnesses say most appeared to have occurred in a stampede after fans of the home team, Al-Masry, stormed on to the field following a rare 3-1 win against Al-Ahly, Egypt's top team.

They then chased players and fans from Al-Ahly.

The clashes happened in the Mediterranean port city of Port Said.

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