Thousands of fans are paying their final respects to Argentine football legend Diego Maradona at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.
Three days of national mourning have begun in Argentina after the national hero died following a heart attack on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at the age of 60.
Some wept, others blew kisses and said prayers as they filed past the coffin being displayed at the Casa Rosada.
A million people are expected to visit his casket.
Thousands of Argentines stand in tightly-packed lines to attend Diego Maradona's funeral service at the Casa Rosada presidential palace in downtown Buenos Aires, with officials facing growing criticism for keeping schools closed due to COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/uYQT5L44Ho
— Gabriel Burin (@GabrielBurin) November 26, 2020
Maradona’s coffin – draped in Argentina’s national flag and football shirt, bearing his trademark number 10 on the back – is expected to be on public display until Thursday afternoon.
There were tense scenes when the Casa Rosada opened its doors, as some fans pushed and shoved against the barriers, which were lined with security forces. His family and former teammates took part in a private ceremony earlier in the day.
