Crush Claims Fifth Victim

A fifth young woman has died as a result of injuries sustained in a crowd crush at Madrid Arena Nov. 1.

Spanish National Radio said 20-year-old Maria Teresa Alonso died Nov. 29 at the city’s Fundacion Jimenez Diaz hospital from brain injuries.

Three young women died in the crowd stampede at the dance party to celebrate Halloween and days later a fourth died in another Madrid hospital.

Madrid authorities investigating the tragedy are probing whether the venue’s maximum capacity of 10,600 was exceeded on the night of the dance party that starred American DJ Steve Aoki.

At the time, deputy city mayor Miguel Angel Villanueva said the fire that started the stampede was sparked by a firework or flare, but he was satisfied the capacity hadn’t been breached.

Authorities decided not to evacuate the arena when the accident occurred for fear of creating further panic. Most partygoers were not aware of the stampede because it was confined to the passage, he said.