In the wake of a tragic incident during celebrations of Mexico’s triumph over Ecuador, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reassured international travelers that the country remains a safe destination. The event, which saw the loss of four lives, has prompted Mexico’s leaders to take steps to improve crowd management at large public gatherings. Sheinbaum emphasized that the incident should not dissuade tourists from visiting, affirming the safety of travel to Mexico.
The reassurance from the president follows a travel advisory from the United Kingdom, urging its citizens to be cautious during upcoming festivities related to Mexico’s football matches. The advisory highlighted concerns over increased reports of mobile phone theft and drink spiking during crowded events. Addressing these issues, Sheinbaum noted that local authorities are already enhancing safety protocols in response to the events of Tuesday, when three individuals died from asphyxiation and another suffered a fatal cardiac arrest amid a crowd of over one million near Paseo de la Reforma.
To mitigate such risks in the future, Sheinbaum outlined plans to install additional large screens along Paseo de la Reforma, aiming to distribute spectators more evenly and alleviate dangerous crowd concentrations. She pointed out that security personnel, alongside officials from the federal government and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, will continue to guide and assist fans during future celebrations. While acknowledging the difficulty of managing such massive crowds, authorities are focusing on providing public guidance rather than attempting to physically control over a million people.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada also announced that civil protection, healthcare, and public security measures will be bolstered ahead of the next major football celebration slated for Sunday. During the previous event, approximately 15,000 police officers were deployed, including more than 4,200 along Paseo de la Reforma, but were still unable to prevent the deadly incident. Brugada described the gathering as the largest public crowd ever recorded in the city’s history, with an estimated 1.4 million people participating.
In response, city officials are now encouraging fans to celebrate across multiple locations rather than congregating solely around the Angel of Independence monument. They are also advocating for responsible alcohol consumption and considering restrictions on alcohol sales in central areas during major public events. As the city braces for another large turnout, further crowd management and safety measures are expected to be announced before the weekend.