A fatal accident unfolded at a youth football match in Rostov-on-Don when the upturned spectator stands collapsed after being buffeted by strong winds. The regional division of the Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the incident, and the governor, Vasily Golubev, also verified the victim information.
At 16:25 Moscow time, authorities reported that a stand at the Rowing Canal site had fallen. The latest official briefing indicated that a woman died and eight others were injured, including seven children and one adult. Children were transported to a medical facility for examinations, as noted by regional officials.
Golubev explained that the prefabricated stands were toppled by a gusty wind. He described an emergency at the Rowing Canal during a children’s football event, where wind knocked over the temporary seating. Current counts show 15 injured patients, comprising five adults and ten children. One woman’s condition was described as critical, with medical teams providing care. An ongoing investigation has been announced on the regional government’s Telegram channel.
Updated figures indicate 26 injured individuals, most of them underage. Seventeen children were taken to City Hospital No. 20. The incident involved about 30 people in the stands. The stadium is situated on the grounds of an Olympic reserve school, and the youth match between Rostov and Bataysk teams was underway when the stands collapsed. A storm warning had been issued in the Rostov region the day prior due to heavy rain and wind.
Officials from the Investigative Committee reported that a criminal case has been opened under the provision addressing safety violations resulting in death due to negligence. The case is being reviewed under the relevant article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
One boy who was present at the scene spoke to social media outlets. He described receiving bruises from the collapse and recounted that the stands gave way as the wind intensified while spectators tried to take shelter from the rain. He noted that the stands appeared newly constructed but poorly assembled, and he recalled the careless setup that led to the failure. He told reporters that he was fortunate to escape serious injury, with only bruises to his leg.
Across the social feed, a commenter named Yegor mentioned that people rushed toward the stands to seek shelter during the rain and that the edge of the platform buckled under pressure. Officials including Samvel Arakelyan, the Minister of Physical Culture and Sports for the Rostov region, characterized the incident as an accident. He stated that the collapsed tribunes complied with safety standards and that the weather at the time had been normal until a sudden gust changed the situation. He described the match as part of an official tournament, conducted according to the calendar plan, with all required documents in order. He stressed that the stands were portable and did not carry a certificate of permanent security. He pledged that any guilty party would face accountability, and noted that an investigation was ongoing.
The Rostov regional prosecutor’s office conducted an inspection, and a State Duma deputy called for further inquiry by addressing the Prosecutor General’s Office. The incident has prompted a formal review of safety practices at youth sporting facilities and the enforcement of construction standards to prevent future tragedies, with authorities promising transparency as the investigation proceeds.