Fans fall through collapsed away stand at Tromsø v Bodø/Glimt, one taken to hospital

What happened on Sunday

A section of the away stand at Romssa Arena, Tromsø's ground (called Alfheim stadium in one report), gave way on Sunday, 8 November, during the Eliteserien round 26 match against Bodø/Glimt. The break came in the first half, around the 40th minute in most reports, although NRK put it at the 41st. Bodø/Glimt supporters had been jumping in time to a chant when the floor of their section cracked along one row and several of them dropped through the gap. One Bodø/Glimt fan told the local paper VG that the row in front of hers split and that at least two people had gone through the floor, without knowing the drop height or the total number involved.

Counts differ across outlets. Bodø/Glimt's press officer, Simen Pedersen, told Reuters that as many as five people went through the stands. NRK reported several fans falling, four given medical treatment and one taken to hospital. VG reported at least four people involved, with the hospitalised fan conscious and three showing no visible injuries. These are early tallies, and the figures may change as more details emerge.

Match stopped and resumed

Bodø/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin drew referee Ola Hobber Nilsen's attention to the collapse, and play was halted just before half-time. Police, rescue workers and an ambulance reached the stand, while Bodø/Glimt supporters were asked to leave the area so emergency crews could get through and were moved into other parts of the ground. Heavy rain was falling at the time. Tromsø said in a statement that preliminary information showed a person had fallen through the stands and been injured, but it gave no details of the injuries.

“We have had a serious incident in the away section during the match.”

The match resumed after consultations with the Norwegian Football Federation, Bodø/Glimt, supporters, the police and matchday staff. Local police later said the damaged panel could not be used again during the restart.

Result and league context

Ola Brynhildsen netted two goals after the restart, and Bodø/Glimt won 2-0. The side sit at the top of the table and are pressing Viking in a title race. The Eliteserien season is due to finish in the first week of December. Bodø/Glimt are also playing in the Champions League this season.

Investigation and safety questions

Police confirmed that part of the stand had given way and opened an investigation into what caused it. Officers told the media that the affected panel could not be used once play restarted, so supporters were first moved away from the stand and then into one of the side sections of the Tromsø ground. The investigation will look into the circumstances in which the stand gave way. So far, reports describe the injuries as light, and only one fan has been taken to hospital.