mcal@ihuxb.UUCP (Mike Clifford) (05/30/85)
At least 41 people dead because of a riot and the collapse of a brick wall in Brussels, Belgium. Some British fans are being blamed for instigating the tragedy. Hooliganism has been a problem for years, especially in England. Those in charge of security at this champioship game really screwed up. How could they not realize the nationalistic passions that flow during these European soccer games could easily create a situation where people could get killed? There was a 10-foot fence dividing the British and Italian crowds, and it served its purpose for a short while. The jeering and catcalls escalated into the hurling of rocks and chunks of concrete over the fence. This soon led to British fans tearing down the partition and fights and rioting began. Hundreds of terrified people tried to flee, and many were trampled. Others were crushed when a brick wall collapsed. What a damn shame! Mike Clifford