| Zamalek stadium disaster | |
| Place: | Zamalek Stadium, Cairo, Egypt |
| Coordinates: | 30.0586°N 31.2036°W |
| Cause: | Crowd crush |
| Reported Deaths: | at least 48 |
| Reported Injuries: | 50 |
A crowd crush occurred on 17 February 1974 when fans were crushed before the kick-off of a football friendly match at the Zamalek Stadium in Cairo between Zamalek of Egypt and Dukla Prague of Czechoslovakia.[1]
The total death toll is reported variously as 48,[1] 49,[2] [3] or 50;[4] 50 more were injured during this event.[2]
Following a change of venue for the match, many supporters thought they would not be able to enter the newly chosen stadium (because the previously intended venue, Nasser Stadium, was much larger).[2] There was a stampede,[1] [5] the walls crumbled,[4] and many people were left dead. According to reports, up to 80,000 people tried to access the stadium, despite the capacity at the time being just 40,000.[6]