Tragedy has struck in Algeria as fans of the North African nation took to the streets to celebrate the Desert Foxes reaching the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Fans in the country’s capital, Algiers, took to the streets to revel in the 1-1 draw with Russia which set up their second-round match with Germany on Monday.
However according to multiple reports fans driving wildly around the streets were said to have caused car crashes due to their jubilant scenes. According to the police two young men died in separate car accidents and over 31 people were injured across Algeria.
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Across in Marseille, France, the huge Algerian population in the Mediterranean city also rejoiced but ugly scenes erupted. In France, Algeria’s former colonial ruler, 74 arrests were made on Thursday evening as Algeria fans clashed with French police on the streets.
Algeria’s ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika gave a rare statement and hailed the team’s “brilliant qualification.”
“It is with great pride that warms our heart and the hearts of all Algerians as well as our supporters in the Arab, Muslim and African world, that we welcome your qualification to the second round,” said the statement issued by Bouteflika’s office.
