Floor panel gives way under jumping Bodø/Glimt fans in Tromsø, dropping several supporters
A panel in the away section at Tromsø's Romssa Arena gave way in the 41st minute of Sunday's Eliteserien match against Bodø/Glimt, and several visiting fans fell through. Four received medical attention and one was taken to hospital, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported.
The visiting supporters were standing and jumping behind the goal in heavy rain when the floor opened, according to fans quoted by NRK and the newspaper VG. One Bodø/Glimt supporter told VG the floor split in two one row ahead of her while fans bounced to a song. Bodø/Glimt press officer Simen Pedersen told Reuters that up to five people fell through. The clubs have not said how far they dropped.
Bodø/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin alerted referee Ola Hobber Nilsen, and play stopped. Away fans were moved out of the section, and Tromsø supporters made room for them elsewhere in the ground, VG reported. The match resumed after talks among both clubs, the Norwegian Football Federation, supporters, police and matchday staff. Bodø/Glimt won 2-0. During the second half, the stadium announcer told the crowd the fan in hospital was doing well, NRK reported.
Tromsø described a "serious incident" among the away fans and gave no details about injuries. Neither club nor the police has said why the panel failed or what the stand's floor is built from.
Why it matters: A crowd jumping in rhythm puts dynamic load on stand decking. Crews that build or service bleachers and standing sections should check deck panels and their supports where fans stand and jump.
Sources
- Stand gives way during Norwegian soccer game, sending Bodø/Glimt fans plunging to ground belowABC News (AP), Nov 8
- Fan hospitalised after falling through stand at Norwegian football matchAl Jazeera (Reuters, AP), Nov 8
- Stadium stand gives way during Tromsø-Bodø/Glimt game in Norway, some fans injuredESPN (AP), Nov 8