Football fans injured as stand collapses after goal – at least 18 hurt

The stand at Amiens’ Stade de la Licorne stadium collapsed midway through a match with Lille. 

Horrifying photos appear to show a barrier giving way, sending fans tumbling through the air. 

The fans appear to have celebrating a goal when the barrier at the front of the stand collapsed. 

Emergency workers including paramedics, Red Cross workers, firefighters and the two clubs’ doctors rushed to the scene. 

The game, a league fixture in France‘s Ligue 1, has now been halted as injured fans are treated. 

Officials said 18 fans had been hurt with at least three in a serious condition. Lille themselves said 20 had been hurt.

After a security meeting, the match was postponed. 

Marc Ingla, Lille’s CEO, has demanded an explanation for the accident. 

He tweeted: “We are firstly thinking of our supporters. 

“Lille has the right to question the conditions of reception and security proposed for our supporters by the club and the stadium of Amiens.

“Lille wants the cause of this accident to be quickly identified, for its supporters and victims so that this can never happen again.”

Hosts Amiens FC tweeted: “The authorities and rescue services are evacuating the wounded. 

“Thoughts with the wounded. We hope this is not too serious.”

They later added: “The match has definitely been stopped.

“The stadium is being evacuated in a calm manner.” 

Lille tweeted: “The match is stopped. A big thought for our supporters. It is hopefully nothing serious.

“There were 20 injured in the incident, three of which were evacuated to the hospital.

“We are giving them all our support.”

This is a breaking story, more to follow…