One person was seriously injured when a section of the guest tribune collapsed at a Norwegian Eliteserie soccer match, causing multiple fans to fall through a hole in the floor, T-Online reported.
The incident occurred during the 41st minute of the game between Tromsø IL and Bodø/Glimt at the Romssa Arena in Tromsø. Bodø/Glimt’s goalkeeper, Nikita Haikin, alerted the referee to the structural failure, which led to a nearly 50-minute stoppage in play.
Emergency Services Evacuate Stadium After Supporters Fall
Emergency services responded to the scene as the affected section of the stadium was evacuated. According to the Norwegian news agency NTB, cited by Mopo, four supporters fell through the collapsed portion of the guest stand. One person sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital. The Express newspaper reported that a second spectator was also injured but did not require hospitalization.
Following the evacuation, the visiting Bodø/Glimt supporters were relocated to another section of the main grandstand. The match was subsequently restarted and concluded with Bodø/Glimt winning 2-0.
Police and Club Launch Investigations into Structural Failure
The Norwegian Police have launched a criminal investigation into the incident. “The police have announced criminal investigations,” the Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported, citing NTB.
Tromsø IL’s manager, described the event as a serious and tragic matter. “What happened here is, first and foremost, tragic. It is a serious incident that we take very seriously, and I feel for those affected. It is absolutely awful,” Frantzen told TV2, as relayed by the Express.
The club has also announced it will conduct an internal investigation into how the structural failure occurred.
The Collapse: Eyewitness Accounts
A witness from the Bodø contingent described the chaotic scene to the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, as reported by the Express. “Many people fell forward. I saw people fall and then a hole. That’s when I understood what had happened. My body was shaking heavily afterward. It was a terrible experience,” the anonymous supporter said.
The Express also reported that preliminary information suggested a flooring element had come loose from its anchoring, creating an opening. The affected guest section, constructed from steel pipes, typically holds around 600 fans across eight rows.
Sporting Outcome
Despite the disruption, the match produced a sporting resolution for Bodø/Glimt. After the restart, Ola Brynhildsen scored twice, once in first-half stoppage time (45’+1) and once in the second half (73′), securing the 2-0 victory for the club, which reached the Champions League Round of 16 last season.
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