Fan dies following stampede

A JUVENTUS supporter has died in hospital nearly two weeks after being injured when panic broke out during the screening of the Champions League final in one of Turin’s squares.

The city government and the club confirmed in separate statements that the fan, 38-year-old Erika Pioletti, died on Thursday night.

“Juventus Football Club would like to express its sincere condolences for the death of Erika,” Juventus said.

“The events that took place in Turin and the city’s victims of the tragedy on 3 June remain in the hearts and minds of all involved with the club.”

About 30 000 people had been in San Carlo square watching the game between Real Madrid and Juventus, which was being played in Cardiff, on a giant screen.

More than 1 500 were injured when supporters panicked and surged out of the square. Most suffered light injuries but one seven-year-old boy was left in a coma for more than a week. He is now recovering. During the second half of the match, which Real Madrid went on to win 4-1, video cameras showed a sudden rush in the middle of the packed crowd, and then a violent surge that flung people against barriers. Police are probing what set off the stampede. Witnesses reported hearing firecrackers, others suggested someone released pepper spray into the air, making it hard for people to breathe. — Reuters