Hundreds of fans break through gate 4 of National Stadium during Bangladesh-Sri Lanka SAFF match
Hundreds of spectators broke through the security barrier at gate number four of the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka and entered the galleries during the SAFF Championship match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Several thousand football fans had gathered outside the stadium to watch the match.
Hundreds of spectators rushed in, crossing the entrance gate and the bamboo security fencing. Security personnel on duty failed to control the stream of men and women running towards the galleries.
The crowd of football fans outside the stadium grew rapidly after the match kicked off. In their eagerness not to miss the chance to get in, control broke down in front of gate four, creating dangerous disorder.
Bangladesh had already settled the semi-final equation in the ongoing Techno SAFF Championship after beating Bhutan in their first match. The match against Sri Lanka was a fight to hold on to top spot in the group, and it drew huge interest among home supporters.
The incident showed both the emotion surrounding football on home soil and raised questions about crowd management and spectator safety at the country's main sports venue.
