“A stampede ensued, resulting in the collapse of a fence,” Morales said. “We are currently investigating whether a police vehicle was involved in the death.”
Authorities said one of the persons died at the scene and the other at a nearby medical clinic.
Match later suspended Later, the match between Colo Colo and Fortaleza was suspended at the 70-minute mark, with the score level at 0-0, when a group of local fans started a protest by throwing objects onto the pitch. It was unclear whether the protests were related to the fan deaths before the match.
The Fortaleza players ran for cover in the locker room, while the Colo Colo players, led by captain Esteban Pavez and Arturo Vidal, tried to calm the fans.
The refereeing team, led by Uruguayan Gustavo Tejera, informed the players that the match had been stopped, and all the players went to the locker room. Later, it was announced that the match was officially suspended.
“CONMEBOL deeply regrets the death of two fans near the estadio Monumental before the start of the match between Colo Colo and Fortaleza,” the governing body of football in South America said.
“We express our sincere condolences to their families and loved ones.”
