Boy, 13, dies during World Cup celebrations in Spain

What the report says

BBC World News reports that a 13-year-old boy died in Ciudad Rodrigo, in Spain’s northwestern Salamanca province, after part of the Árbol Gordo fountain gave way during celebrations of Spain’s World Cup victory. The incident happened at about 00:30 local time, as people gathered in and around the fountain following the national team’s win.

According to the BBC, emergency services said two other young people were hurt. One child was taken to hospital with a suspected leg fracture. Castilla y León emergency services said they received multiple calls about the collapse and alerted local police, the Civil Guard, firefighters and medical responders, including a mobile intensive care unit and a basic life support ambulance.

Local media cited by the BBC reported that part of the structure collapsed after several people climbed onto it during the celebrations. Ciudad Rodrigo’s town hall said on social media that a moment intended to mark Spain’s football triumph had become a tragedy, and the council wished a swift recovery to others affected. Regional authorities said the Civil Guard was asked to attend the local health centre in connection with the investigation into the boy’s death, and psychological support was requested for the family.

The celebrations followed Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in the World Cup final, secured by a Ferran Torres goal. The BBC noted it was Spain’s second men’s World Cup title, after 2010, and reported that other fatal incidents had occurred during World Cup celebrations earlier in the month in Mexico City.