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In a shocking turn of events during Bulgaria's Euro 2024 qualifier against Hungary, clashes between police officers and football fans left a total of 57 individuals injured, as reported by authorities on Friday. The high-stakes football match, which concluded in a 2-2 draw, was marred by violence on the sidelines, raising concerns about public safety.
Emergency center spokeswoman Katya Sungarska revealed that among the injured were 24 football fans, with seven requiring hospitalization due to head traumas, broken limbs, and exposure to pepper spray. The severity of injuries highlights the chaotic nature of the clashes that unfolded during the intense football encounter.
Deputy chief of the Sofia police directorate, Stefan Ivanov, disclosed that 33 police officers sustained injuries during the clashes, with some facing serious conditions that warranted hospitalization. Ivanov, speaking at a press briefing, condemned the violence as an "unprecedented violation of public order," emphasizing the serious aggression exhibited and the elevated risks posed to public safety.
In response to the unrest, 33 football fans were detained on the night of the incident, and arrests are ongoing as authorities work to bring the perpetrators to justice. The scale of the violence has prompted a swift and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the clashes, as law enforcement seeks to address the root causes and prevent future incidents of this nature.
As both the football and law enforcement communities grapple with the aftermath of the clashes, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges associated with ensuring security at high-profile sporting events and the need for robust measures to maintain public order and safety.
