The deaths mainly occurred from people suffering from internal haemorrhaging or asphyxiation from the crushing against the steel shutters that led down to the street.

[1] With Argentina leading 1–0 and six minutes of normal time remaining, a would-be equalising goal by Peru was disallowed by Uruguayan referee Ángel Eduardo Pazos.

Rather than standard gates, the stadium had solid corrugated steel shutters at the bottom of tunnels that connected the street level, via several flights of steps, to the seating areas above.

Panicked spectators moving down the enclosed stairways pressed those in the lead against the closed shutters, but this was not visible to the crowd pushing down the stairwells from behind.

Reports indicated some individuals threw paper soaked in petrol into a nearby garage and broke factory and house windows.

[7] Police repelled a mob headed for the home of Commander Jorge de Asumbuja who they accused of ordering the firing of tear gas into the stands.

[9][10] To quell the unrest in Lima, the government ordered the suspension of civil liberties, enforced a state of emergency, and imposed a modified form of martial law.

[13] Pope Paul VI called on fans to subdue their celebrations out of respect for the victims of the disaster.

With both Peru and Brazil tied in the points standings, it was decided a playoff game was to be played to determine which team would qualify for the Olympics.