Following a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of four individuals during celebrations of Mexico’s recent victory over Ecuador, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to reassure the international community of the country’s safety as a travel destination. In the wake of the event, Sheinbaum defended the actions of Mexico City’s authorities and announced the implementation of new measures to better handle large gatherings at public events. She emphasized that the unfortunate occurrence should not deter tourism, asserting that Mexico remains a secure place for visitors.
Her statements came shortly after the United Kingdom updated its travel advice, urging its citizens to be cautious during upcoming football-related festivities in Mexico. The advisory highlighted a rise in incidents of mobile phone theft and drink spiking amid crowded settings. Acknowledging these concerns, Sheinbaum remarked that local authorities are already taking additional steps to increase safety following the recent tragedy, where three individuals died from asphyxiation and another suffered a fatal heart attack as crowds swelled to over a million near Paseo de la Reforma.
To prevent future incidents, the Mexico City administration intends to set up more large screens along Paseo de la Reforma to disperse spectators more evenly and alleviate dangerous crowd densities. Sheinbaum also pointed out that both federal government officials and personnel from the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection will continue to support and guide fans during future celebrations. While managing such massive crowds presents significant challenges, she stressed that officials are prioritizing public guidance over attempting to physically control more than a million people.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada has also announced plans to bolster civil protection, healthcare, and public security measures before the next major football celebration scheduled for Sunday. Despite the deployment of approximately 15,000 police officers, including over 4,200 along Paseo de la Reforma, during the previous event, they could not avert the deadly incident. Brugada described the gathering as the largest public assembly ever recorded in the city’s history, with an estimated attendance of over 1.4 million people.
City officials are now advocating for fans to celebrate in various locations instead of congregating solely around the Angel of Independence monument. Authorities are also promoting responsible drinking and considering imposing restrictions on alcohol sales in central areas during significant public events. As preparations for another large turnout continue, additional crowd management and safety measures are expected to be revealed before the weekend.