At least 12 killed in El Salvador stadium stampede

At least 12 people have died after a stampede at a football stadium in El Salvador's capital, San Salvador, BBC reports.

The incident happened during a football match between Alianza and Fas at the Monumental stadium. A large number of fans tried to enter the venue after the gates were closed, triggering a stampede.

Footage shared by local media appeared to show fans attempting to pull down barricades at the stadium's entrance.

Police had earlier said that seven men and two women were among the dead, with all the victims over the age of 18.

Images released showed people making their way onto the pitch where they received medical treatment, while local media had earlier transmitted live footage of the stampede.

The match was subsequently suspended.

"It was an avalanche of fans who overran the gate," a volunteer with the Rescue Commandos first aid group told journalists.

"Some were still under the metal in the tunnel. Others managed to make it to the stands and then to the field and were smothered."

Officials believe some fans had been sold fake tickets, and said that an investigation was under way.

Luis Alonso Amaya, from the Civil Protection of El Salvador, said that about 500 people had been given medical treatment, with many transferred to hospital.