SHEFFIELD — 1989 · Major Tragedy
The Hillsborough Disaster
On 15 April 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium, a crush in the stand holding Liverpool supporters killed 96 people; the toll rose to 97 when an injured fan died in 2021. For years supporters were blamed. After a long campaign by families, new inquests concluded in 2016 that the victims were unlawfully killed and that gross police failures, above all opening an exit gate before kick-off, caused the deaths. Fans were found blameless. The case became a symbol of public-institution accountability in Britain.
- Date
- 1989
- Place
- South Yorkshire, England, Sheffield, UK
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 53.4110, -1.5000 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 15 April 1989A fatal crush in the Leppings Lane stand.
- 1991Original inquests returned accidental death.
- 26 April 2016New inquest jury ruled unlawful killing.
- July 2021The death toll rose to 97.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — Hillsborough inquest: 96 fans were 'unlawfully killed' aljazeera.com ↗
- CBC — Jury finds 96 soccer fans were 'unlawfully killed' cbc.ca ↗
- Al Jazeera
- CBC News
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.