MADRID — Spain’s celebrations after winning the FIFAWorld Cup 2026 turned tragic early Monday when a 13-year-old boy was killed and three others were seriously injured when a fountain collapsed after supporters climbed onto it in the western city of Ciudad Rodrigo.After the final whistle and Spain’s victory over Argentina, sealed with a goal from Ferran Torres, hundreds of thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate the title. The accident occurred shortly after midnight at the Arbol Gordo fountain in the historic city in Salamanca province, near the Portugal border.At the height of the celebrations, the upper section of the monument gave way and fell onto the crowd, striking several people. Among them was the 13-year-old, who was treated at the health centre in Ciudad Rodrigo, where he later died, according to emergency services. Castilla y León’s 112 Emergency Center received the first alert at 00:33, when several calls reported the collapse of the fountain. It then mobilised the Ciudad Rodrigo local police, the Salamanca Civil Guard, the provincial fire brigade and the Sacyl emergency medical services, which deployed several units to the scene.According to the first reports, in addition to the deceased, at least three other people were injured, one of them with a broken leg. The area where the collapse occurred has been cordoned off and remains under guard while the circumstances of the accident are investigated.The Psychological Intervention in Disasters and Emergencies Group has also been activated to provide support to the family of the deceased minor.In a statement, Ciudad Rodrigo Town Hall expressed its condolences to the victim’s family.”The entire city feels this loss and accompanies the minor’s friends and family in their grief… What should have been a celebration of the Spanish national team’s World Cup victory has turned into a tragedy,” the statement said.The fatal incident cast a shadow over nationwide celebrations after Spain claimed its second FIFA World Cup title, 16 years after lifting the trophy for the first time in 2010.Spain secured the crown with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday.Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute of extra time after both sides were locked in a tense, goalless contest through 90 minutes.
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