Messi and team forced to fly as roads at home get choked with excited soccer fans
Buenos Aires: With the soccer fans being over-excited about Argentina’s victory in the World Cup, the team’s celebration was disrupted, forcing Lionel Messi and the others to go by helicopter instead of an open-top bus on Tuesday.
When the team bus arrived in the city at 3 am on Tuesday, the fans thronged the vehicle at the airport. Also, as at least 4 million people gathered on the streets, the city trip planned for midday was interrupted.
A video shared on social media shows a fan falling from a bridge on to the bus carrying the soccer team. Another fan is seen falling on the crowd, missing the bus.
Chiqui Tapia, head of the Football Association, apologized to the supporters, saying that they were unable to continue by bus.
Enzo Fernandez, who is a midfielder in the Argentinian team, posted a picture of himself in the helicopter.
A presidential spokesperson confirmed that the soccer players had taken the air route since the fans’ delight and excitement at the team’s victory had jammed the roads. The local television channels broadcast scenes of the people clogging the highway bridges, climbing atop light posts and vehicles, expressing their joy.
In addition, Alberto Fernandez, President of Argentina, declared a national holiday for celebrations over the World Cup victory.
With Argentina having a population of 46 million, the celebration is providing a relief for a nation struggling against economic problems including inflation, weakening currency and tight capital controls. The poor planning of celebration and security failure to protect the soccer team’s bus are likely to be severely criticized.
The players, however, have been reluctant to meet the government authorities, to avoid mixing of politics and sports. A visit to the presidential palace was ruled out by the football federation on Tuesday. In addition, when the team landed at the international airport, Messi did not greet Interior Minister Eduardo de Pedro, who was waiting for the team on the tarmac.
Lionel #Messi and team were evacuated in helicopters after fans jumped from bridges to get on the bus during the #FifaWorldCup winners' parade in Buenos Aires#Argentinafans #FIFAWorldCupFinal https://t.co/s54PeOSdmb pic.twitter.com/IgjU5z47Q8
— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 21, 2022
Estiman que el 10% de la población argentina (casi cinco millones) están ahora mismo recibiendo al plantel campeón del mundo en las calles de Buenos Aires. pic.twitter.com/lvpETOS1Gg
— Pablo Giralt (@giraltpablo) December 20, 2022
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BLO found dead in Bengal, work-related pressure alleged
Kolkata (PTI): A Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found dead in West Bengal's Bankura district on Sunday, triggering allegations that work-related pressure linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls may have played a role, police said.
The incident occurred in Ranibandh block, where the body of the deceased, Haradhan Mandal, was recovered from a school premises on Sunday morning.
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"Mandal was a schoolteacher by profession and served as the BLO of Booth No. 206 under the Rajakata area of Ranibandh block," a police officer said.
According to the officer, a note bearing the deceased's signature was recovered from the spot, in which he reportedly referred to being unable to cope with work pressure.
"We have seized the note and sent the body for post-mortem examination," he said.
The police initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to Mandal's death.
Officials said all angles are being examined.
"Till now, 39 ordinary citizens, including four BLOs, have died due to SIR panic, including suicides," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had claimed on December 2.
The SIR exercise began in the state on November 4.
