Sporting Witness
Sporting Witness
Zamalek Stadium Disaster
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February 17, 2024
11 minutes
Available for over a year
It was supposed to be a friendly match between Egyptian giants Zamalek and Czechoslovakian side Dukla Prague, but before the game started there was a deadly crush in the crowds.
The day before the game on 17 February 1974, the venue had been changed from the larger Cairo Stadium to Zamalek's home ground.
It was reported that 48 people died and 47 were injured in a stampede. Josephine McDermott hears from retired Egyptian international player and Zamalek winger Mahmoud Al Khawaga who was there.
Production and interpretation from Riham Eldeeb in Cairo.
(Photo: Zamalek Stadium on the day of the disaster)