Teenager crushed to death by truck during celebrations of France's 2-0 World Cup win over Morocco
A 17-year-old girl was crushed to death after falling from a truck during celebrations in Aulnoye-Aymeries, northern France, following the national team's World Cup quarter-final victory.
The fatal accident
A 17-year-old girl died in Aulnoye-Aymeries, northern France, after falling from a truck while celebrating France's World Cup quarter-final victory over Morocco on Thursday night. The accident happened around half past midnight on the rue Jean-Jaurès roundabout, near a Burger King, when the heavy goods vehicle, travelling without its trailer, moved off. The girl, who was on the back of the truck, fell and was crushed by it. Firefighters and emergency medical teams arrived quickly but could not resuscitate her; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
She fell and was crushed.
Six minors were near the accident, and one, in a state of shock, was taken to the hospital in Maubeuge. A separate source, citing local newspaper La Voix du Nord, said three witnesses in shock were treated and transported to the same hospital. The truck driver was taken into police custody and an investigation has been opened. The scene left bystanders deeply shaken on what had been a night of national celebration.
The match
France had just beaten Morocco 2-0 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, outside Boston, to secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé scored the goals that sent the defending champions through. The result puts France into their third consecutive World Cup semi-final. They will play the winner of the Spain versus Belgium quarter-final, scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles.
Next steps
France's semi-final is set for next Tuesday in Dallas. The quarter-final schedule continues this Friday when Belgium and Spain face off for the right to meet Les Bleus. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is now at its knockout stage. No further incidents were reported in Foxborough, but celebrations across France and in other cities turned disruptive.
Wider disorder
In London, a group of fans threw bottles and fireworks at police officers during post-match unrest tied to the same fixture. Four people were arrested and one officer was injured. The disturbances underline a pattern of street celebrations that have, in some locations, spilled over into confrontations with law enforcement. Neither the London arrests nor the fatality in Aulnoye-Aymeries were directly linked to organised fan violence; reports describe spontaneous gatherings in public spaces.
Investigation underway
French authorities have opened an inquiry into the girl's death. The truck driver remains in custody while police reconstruct the sequence of events on the roundabout. Early indications suggest the vehicle was moving at low speed and the victim lost her footing from the rear platform, which lacked a trailer. The prosecutor's office in Avesnes-sur-Helpe is expected to lead the investigation. No charges have been announced as of Friday morning.
