World

Boy, 13, dies during World Cup celebrations in Spain

BBC World · 2026-07-20

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: A 13-year-old boy died and two others were injured when part of a fountain collapsed during World Cup victory celebrations in Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca province, Spain. • Why it matters: The incident highlights the dangers associated with large public celebrations, especially when crowds gather around structures that may not be designed to support such weight, turning a festive occasion into a tragedy. • What to watch next: Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fountain's collapse and assess safety measures for future public celebrations.

Image source, EPA/ShutterstockImage caption, Spain's streets were filled with revellers overnight on Sunday - pictured here in Los Palacios, Seville, more than 400km south of the incident ByRachel FlynnPublished20 July 2026, 10:32 BSTUpdated 27 minutes agoA 13-year-old boy was killed after part of a fountain collapsed in Salamanca province, northwestern Spain, during the country's World Cup victory celebrations. Two other young people were injured, emergency services told the BBC, including one child who was taken to hospital with a possible broken bone in his leg. Youth were celebrating Spain's victory inside the Árbol Gordo fountain in Salamanca's Ciudad Rodrigo, when it partially collapsed around 00:30 local time (23:30 BST). "What was supposed to be a celebration for the victory in the Spanish National Football Team's World Cup has turned into a tragedy," Ciudad Rodrigo's town hall posted on social media. Image source, EPA/ShutterstockImage caption, The remains of the Árbol Gordo fountain in Ciudad RodrigoEmergency services for Castilla y León said it had received several calls about the collapse of the fountain. Part of the structure gave way after several people climbed on it to celebrate Spain's win, local media reported. The emergency service said it had notified the city's local police, as well as Salamanca's Civil Guard, its fire brigade and the local emergency medical service - which dispatched a mobile intensive care unit and a basic life support ambulance to the scene. The emergency medical service later requested the presence of the Civil Guard at the local health centre to investigate the death of the boy who was treated there, the Castilla y León's regional government's website said. It also requested the Civil Guard activate psychological support for the family.The city's council said it "hopes for a speedy recovery of the others who have been affected by the incident". Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday after Ferran Torres scored in extra time.It is the country's second ever World Cup win, after their last victory in 2010. Earlier this month, three people died from suffocation during World Cup celebrations in Mexico City, while a 30-year-old man also died in an epileptic crisis.More on this storyVictory for football? Spain beat Argentina to win World CupPublished10 hours agohttp://bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cgr701xrg14oSixteen titles in five years - why Spain are a dominant forcePublished9 hours ago

Source: BBC World
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