VIDEO A bus full of Argentine fans, a man with a broken arm

A bus carrying fans of Argentine football club Club Atlético Tigre was attacked with gunfire near Montevideo, Uruguay, shortly after they returned from a match in the Copa Sudamericana. The incident occurred as the group of over 2,000 supporters made their way back to Argentina following a decisive 3-0 victory against Nacional in the first leg of the round of 16. One man sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his hand and arm during the attack, which took place around midnight local time. The assault happened as the convoy of approximately 15 buses traveled along Route 1 and Avenue Cibils. According to reports, attackers on a motorcycle fired more than 10 rounds into the vehicles. Before opening fire, the assailants reportedly attempted to block the column of buses and threw stones at them. Several bullets struck one of the buses, shattering windows and causing panic among passengers. Video footage released after the attack showed broken glass, bullet holes, and bloodstains on the floor inside the vehicle. One of the injured men described the moment he realized the danger. He was traveling with his daughter and tried to shield her from harm. “We had left the stadium half an hour earlier, and then the lights were turned off in the bus so people could sleep,” he said. “Through the window, I saw a flash and immediately understood someone was shooting.” He told his daughter to lie down on the floor while he covered her body. “When I raised my hand, a bullet hit me, and another destroyed my left thumb.” The victim was taken to Hospital del Cerro in Montevideo, where doctors confirmed the projectile passed through his hand and did not cause critical injuries. Club officials visited him in the hospital and arranged for his return home. He expressed relief that the situation was not worse and praised the club’s response to the incident. Club Atlético Tigre issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attack. President Martín Suárez remained with the injured fan and his family throughout the ordeal. The club emphasized that football should be a celebration and that such violence must not be tolerated. It called for increased security measures ahead of the return match in Argentina, which will take place under heightened safety protocols. Uruguayan media speculated that hooligans linked to Nacional might have been behind the attack, though no official identification of the perpetrators has been made yet. Police secured the scene and launched an investigation. Authorities expect surveillance footage and witness statements to help identify those responsible. Given the number of shots fired at buses filled with people, the consequences could have been far more severe. Tigre's performance in the match overshadowed the violent incident. They dominated the game, with Jalil Elías scoring early after a VAR review confirmed the goal. Ignacio Russo added a second before halftime, and Elías Cabrera sealed the 3-0 win. Nacional played the second half with one fewer player after the red card of Bruno Zuculini. Despite the victory, the celebrations were marred by the attack on the return journey. The upcoming match in Argentina will be considered high-risk and require enhanced security precautions. The attack highlights the ongoing issue of violence associated with football matches in South America. While the specific motives behind this incident remain unclear, the authorities continue their investigation into the perpetrators. Fans of both teams are being urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The case underscores the need for stronger measures to protect supporters during travel and events.