Iron Maiden Fans Riot In Colombia

03/09/09 4:19pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

A group of angry Iron Maiden fans rioted before the British band's concert in Bogota, Colombia on Saturday.

Police arrested more than 100 people after what they described as "a group of malcontents who wanted to enter without tickets" tried to gain entry to Simon Bolivar Park. The protestors threw rocks and police fired tear gas at them in response, according to BBC News. At least one police officer was injured in the skirmish and needs reconstructive facial surgery.

A report from Bogota police states that 40 of the original 111 people arrested are still in custody and will have to pay for damage to traffic lights and signs in the area.

The riot didn't deter Iron Maiden's performance, which more than 25,000 people attended, though it has prompted local authorities to debate if the city will host any future heavy metal concerts.

Iron Maiden are touring South America in support of last year's Somewhere Back In Time best-of compilation. You can see their hopefully riot-free concerts here:

March 10 Quito, Ecuador @ Estadio Del Aucas 20 Horas
March 12 Manaus, Brazil @ Sambrodromo
March 14 Rio De Janeiro, Brazil @ Apoteose
March 15 Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Autdromo De Interlagos
March 18 Belo Horizonte, Brazil @ The Mineirinho
March 20 Brasilia, Brazil @ Brasilia Camping
March 22 Santiago, Chile @ Club Hipico Racecourse
March 26 Lima, Peru @ Estadio Nacional Jose Diaz
March 28 Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Velez Sarsfield (Quilmes Rock Festival)
March 31 Recife, Brazil @ Estadio Municipal
April 2 Fort Lauderdale, FL @ BankAtlantic Center