RadioProfile | Gate 12: a tragedy that marked Argentine Soccer

On June 23, 1968, the tragedy at gate 12 of River occurred: 71 people died after the classic with Boca.

That catastrophe had a feeling of pain that went through Argentina.

It generated astonishment, indignation and solidarity, so much so that within hours of the avalanche, 200 liters of blood had been donated to help the injured.

However, 55 years after the tragedy at the Monumental stadium, some investigations assert that there were more than 71 missing.

After the 0 to 0, the Boca fans went out into the street walking up the stairs at gate 12.

In the Centenario Alta, Boca fans crowded to see the superclassic. However, fans of other clubs witnessed the classic and joined the list of the missing.

Amadeo Carrizo and Ángel Clemente Rojas, who played in that match, summoned football lovers, first of all.

According to testimonies from witnesses who went out into the street, the doors were open, while the turnstiles were left lying on one side of the exit.

The investigation found that the door was open, but not contested.

According to a report in the newspaper La Nación, it was established that of the total opening, 4 meters, only 3 meters and 8 centimeters was open. It is estimated that the 92 centimeters were blocked by the folded door itself.

The cause of the tragedy would have been that the policemen on horseback got too close to the exit door, which caused them to squeeze inside the stairs.

The judicial process ruled that the mayor and the foreman of River were responsible for the disappeared and more than 200 injured.

But months later, Justice dismissed them. In a diffuse sentence it was established that “the door was open, although not contested, but this was not the reason that increased the tragedy…”.

At the same time, the judicial process finally ruled that there were no causes and culprits.

Currently, gate 12 at the Monumental stadium is identified as Gate M. Its location remains on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta y Soler. In 2008, a plaque honoring the victims was placed next to the door.

On June 23, 1968, the tragedy at gate 12 of River occurred: 71 people died after the classic with Boca.