A 17-year-old girl has died after falling from a moving truck during celebrations following France’s victory over Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
The fatal incident occurred in the northern French town of Aulnoye-Aymeries, near Maubeuge, in the early hours of Friday after France secured a 2-0 win over Morocco to book a place in the semi-finals.
According to French authorities and local media reports, the driver of a commercial truck without its trailer allowed several young fans to climb onto the vehicle as supporters celebrated the national team’s victory.
While the truck was moving, the teenager reportedly lost her balance, fell onto the road and was run over by the vehicle.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene but confirmed that the victim died from her injuries.
Authorities said another minor who witnessed the incident was taken to a hospital in Maubeuge after suffering severe shock.
Police arrested the truck driver at the scene, and prosecutors have opened an investigation into alleged involuntary manslaughter to determine whether negligence contributed to the fatal accident.
The tragedy cast a shadow over celebrations across France, where thousands of supporters gathered in cities and towns after goals from Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé secured Les Bleus’ place in the World Cup semi-finals.
In Paris, the Interior Ministry deployed more than 20,000 police officers to monitor celebrations around the Champs-Élysées and other fan zones. Authorities reported a largely peaceful night, although 10 people were arrested over minor disturbances and one person sustained non-life-threatening injuries during an altercation.
Celebrations also led to isolated disorder outside France. In London, Metropolitan Police arrested four people after crowds gathered on Edgware Road, where fireworks were set off and bottles were thrown at officers. One police officer was reportedly hospitalized with serious head injuries during the incident.
French authorities have continued their investigation into the fatal accident as the country prepares for its World Cup semi-final fixture.