73 Killed in Egypt Soccer Riot

A massive riot broke out after a soccer match in Port Said, Egypt, today, leaving at least 73 people dead and hundreds more injured. The violence erupted after the home team, al-Masry, managed a 3-1 win against the favored al-Ahly, Egypt's top team, Voice of America reports. Al-Masry fans swarmed the field, hurling rocks, fireworks, and bottles and, according to one report, wielding knives, chasing al-Ahly players from the field.

Some of those killed were security officers, officials tell the AP. Parts of the stadium have been set on fire, and some players are believed to be trapped inside. Security was lighter than normal for the match, one BBC correspondent in Egypt said, adding that Egyptian soccer fans are notoriously violent—especially al-Ahly's super-fans, known as "Ultras," who have been implicated in recent political confrontations. Egypt's new parliament will hold an emergency session tomorrow to discuss the incident. (More Egypt stories.)