Many Hamburger SV fans seriously injured in Bundesliga promotion celebrations

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Police officers stand guard as Hamburg fans storm the pitch to celebrate promotion following a Bundesliga 2 soccer game between Hamburger SV and SSV Ulm 1846 in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP)

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Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes celebrates with fans who stormed the pitch to celebrate promotion following a Bundesliga 2 soccer game between Hamburger SV and SSV Ulm 1846 in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Marcus Brandt/dpa via AP)

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Hamburg fans storm the pitch after the match to celebrate promotion following a Bundesliga 2 soccer game between Hamburger SV and SSV Ulm 1846 in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Marcus Brandt/dpa via AP)

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Hamburg fans storm the pitch to celebrate promotion following a Bundesliga 2 soccer game between Hamburger SV and SSV Ulm 1846 in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP)

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Hamburg’s Otto Stange and fans celebrate promotion following a Bundesliga 2 soccer game between Hamburger SV and SSV Ulm 1846 in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP)

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — One Hamburger SV fan suffered “life-threatening injuries” and 19 more were seriously injured in celebrations after the team’s return to the Bundesliga, local fire services said Sunday.

The Hamburg Fire Department launched what it called a “major emergency response” to contend with Hamburg fans celebrating promotion on Saturday, when thousands of supporters stormed the field.

Some 44 supporters needed medical treatment, including 25 who were taken to local hospitals, of whom five had just minor injuries.

Hamburg clinched its long-awaited return to the top division with a 6-1 rout of Ulm, ensuring it will finish among the top two in Germany’s second division and automatic promotion to the Bundesliga.

Hamburg endured six seasons of just missing out on promotion since its demotion from the top division before success at the seventh attempt.

The club was previously known as “der Dino” because it was the last surviving member of the Bundesliga to have played every season since its formation in 1963. But it was finally relegated in 2018 after several close calls.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer