In the wake of a tragic incident during celebrations following Mexico’s victory over Ecuador, President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured international travelers that Mexico remains a safe destination. Sheinbaum addressed concerns after four people died during the large-scale gatherings and highlighted the swift response by Mexico City’s authorities. She announced that new crowd management measures will be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future, emphasizing that these events should not deter tourism.
The reassurance from President Sheinbaum came after the United Kingdom updated its travel advisory, urging caution for those attending future celebrations linked to Mexico’s football matches. This advisory was prompted by reports of increased mobile phone theft and drink spiking during crowded events. Sheinbaum acknowledged these issues but stated that additional safety measures are now in place after Tuesday’s events, which saw three individuals die of asphyxiation and one from a cardiac arrest amidst over a million people gathered near Paseo de la Reforma.
To enhance safety, the Mexico City government plans to install more large screens along Paseo de la Reforma. This strategy aims to disperse the crowd more evenly and prevent dangerous concentrations of people. Sheinbaum highlighted that security personnel from the federal government and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection will continue to support and guide fans during future events. Acknowledging the difficulty of managing such vast crowds, she emphasized the importance of public guidance over physical containment of more than a million attendees.
In preparation for the next major football celebration on Sunday, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada has announced a strengthening of civil protection, healthcare, and public security measures. The previous celebration, which had a deployment of approximately 15,000 police officers, including over 4,200 along Paseo de la Reforma, was described as the largest public gathering in the city’s history, with an estimated 1.4 million participants. Despite this, the tragic incident could not be prevented, prompting officials to seek improved strategies.
City officials are now advocating for supporters to spread their celebrations across multiple locations instead of gathering solely around the Angel of Independence monument. They are also promoting responsible alcohol consumption and are considering alcohol sale restrictions in central areas during major public events. As authorities prepare for another significant turnout, additional crowd management and safety measures are expected to be announced before the weekend.