Two fans killed in Colo Colo vs Fortaleza clash at Copa Libertadores

Tragedy unfolds outside Monumental Stadium in Santiago before Copa Libertadores match.

Supporters of Colo Colo storm the pitch during the Copa Libertadores group stage match between Chile's Colo Colo and Brazil's Fortaleza at the Monumental David Arellano Stadium in Santiago on April 10, 2025. Photo by Javier Torres/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In a deeply tragic turn of events, two people lost their lives during the Colo Colo vs Fortaleza clash at the Monumental Stadium in Santiago, Chile, ahead of a highly anticipated Copa Libertadores match. The incident, which unfolded just before kickoff on Thursday, has sent shockwaves through the football community and reignited urgent conversations around stadium safety and policing.

The fatalities occurred during a confrontation between fans and police forces, as officers tried to block a group of around 100 fans from entering the stadium. The crowd control measures quickly spiraled into chaos, and conflicting reports have since emerged about what exactly happened. Authorities have confirmed the deaths, while eyewitness accounts suggest troubling circumstances surrounding the incident.

Local media outlets were quick to report that one of the victims was a 13-year-old boy, though officials have yet to officially confirm the identity or age. The second victim, according to a relative speaking from a hospital in Santiago, was an 18-year-old woman who reportedly had a ticket to attend the match.

According to prosecutor Francisco Morales, the two fans died after being trapped under a fence that collapsed during the turmoil. Morales also stated that an investigation is underway to determine whether a police vehicle contributed to the fatal collapse. “What is known is that one of the fences crushed these two people, and an investigation is underway into whether a police car was involved in the death,” he told local reporters.

That chilling possibility became more tangible when Barbara Perez, sister of the 18-year-old victim, claimed that a police vehicle had indeed driven over the fence after it fell. “It drove over her and crushed her completely,” Perez said in an emotional statement outside the hospital. “She arrived with no vital signs. She had a ticket. She wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

A Copa Libertadores clash overshadowed by tragedy

What was meant to be a night of thrilling South American football between Chile’s Colo Colo and Brazil’s Fortaleza quickly turned into a nightmare. The Colo Colo vs Fortaleza clash was a significant fixture in the Copa Libertadores, a tournament known for passionate fan engagement and intense competition. But as often happens, the drama spilled over beyond the pitch — with deadly consequences.

Authorities have launched an internal investigation into the chain of events leading up to the tragedy. The Chilean prosecutor’s office confirmed that the investigation would include police conduct, stadium security protocols, and the possibility of institutional negligence. As part of the inquiry, surveillance footage is being reviewed, and testimonies are being gathered from both fans and officers who were present at the scene.

Initial statements from the police attempted to downplay direct responsibility, focusing instead on what they described as "unauthorized crowd movements" by fans. However, public backlash has been swift, especially as personal accounts from victims' families continue to surface.

Social media platforms lit up within hours of the incident, with hashtags like #JusticiaParaLosHinchas and #ColoColoEnLuto trending throughout South America. Fans from across the continent, regardless of club affiliation, expressed solidarity and called for justice and accountability. Many demanded reforms in how football matches are policed in the region, where incidents of violence and crowd mismanagement are unfortunately not rare.

A pattern of neglect in South American football?

The Colo Colo vs Fortaleza clash and the tragic loss of young lives draw parallels to previous crowd disasters that have plagued football stadiums not only in South America but around the world. In recent years, similar fatal incidents have occurred in countries like Argentina, Brazil, and even outside Latin America, including the 2022 stampede at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesia, which killed over 130 people.

Critics argue that lessons have not been learned. Stadium infrastructure often remains outdated, emergency response teams underprepared, and policing practices ill-suited for the dynamic and emotional environment of major sporting events.

While Copa Libertadores matches are typically overseen by CONMEBOL, local authorities maintain responsibility for crowd control and event security. This has created a fragmented approach to safety, with standards varying greatly depending on the host city and nation. The Colo Colo vs Fortaleza clash is now poised to become a key case study for urgent reform.

Calls for accountability and justice

In the hours following the match—which proceeded despite the pre-game deaths—several rights organizations, fan unions, and politicians voiced their concern. The Chilean National Institute of Human Rights released a brief statement urging authorities to investigate not only the deaths but also the methods employed by police to disperse the crowd.

A burned garbage bin lies on the street after a group of Colo Colo fans attempted to force their way into the stadium during the Copa Libertadores group stage match between Chile's Colo Colo and Brazil's Fortaleza at the Monumental David Arellano Stadium in Santiago on April 10, 2025. Photo by Javier Torres/AFP

Colo Colo, one of Chile’s most storied clubs, also issued a public message expressing condolences and pledging full cooperation with the investigation. “We mourn the loss of life and express our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. We will do everything in our power to ensure full transparency and justice,” the club stated.

Fortaleza, their Brazilian opponents, echoed those sentiments, releasing a message on their social channels in both Portuguese and Spanish. “Football should be a celebration. We grieve alongside our Chilean brothers and sisters,” the post read.

Meanwhile, fans have already begun organizing vigils and memorials outside the Monumental Stadium, leaving flowers, candles, and team scarves in tribute to the victims. What should have been an electric evening under the floodlights has instead become a moment of national mourning.

What happens next?

The broader consequences of the Colo Colo vs Fortaleza clash are yet to be fully realized. If the ongoing investigation confirms mishandling by police or stadium authorities, we could see legal action, policy shifts, and potentially even sanctions from CONMEBOL.

For now, the grieving families seek answers. The football world waits for justice. And millions of fans are reminded once again that the passion of sport must never come at the cost of human life.

As the investigation unfolds and the region reflects on this tragic event, one question echoes in stadium corridors and city squares: How many more lives must be lost before real change is made?