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Today in History: Hillsborough disaster claims 97 lives at FA Cup

4/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On April 15, 1989, the Hillsborough disaster occurred during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. A police decision to open an exit gate led to overcrowding in the standing pens, resulting in a fatal crush that claimed 97 lives and injured 766, marking the deadliest event in British sporting history.

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Story summary

On April 15, 1989, the Hillsborough disaster occurred during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. A police decision to open an exit gate led to overcrowding in the standing pens, resulting in a fatal crush that claimed 97 lives and injured 766, marking the deadliest event in British sporting history.