Argentina’s World Cup heroes were forced to abandon the open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires on Tuesday as millions of enthusiastic fans filled the streets and brought the city to a standstill and Lionel Messi and his teammates boarded helicopters to end the festivities.

The players who won Sunday’s World Cup final in Qatar were unable to make it to the central Obelisk monument as planned, as the route was completely blocked by the crowd, estimated by local media to be in excess of 4 million people. Some even talked about 6 million.

Television networks showed some fans trying to jump on the team bus as it passed under the bridge, the planned eight-hour journey was cut short after five hours due to safety concerns.

In particular, some hanged themselves on a bridge over which an open bus was supposed to pass. The two jumped towards the bus, with the first landing on… Lautaro Martinez’s arms, and the second hitting the edge of the car’s roof and falling to the pavement before being hit by dozens of others running after the bus.

In total, the Argentine media reported at least 18 victims, 16 of whom required hospitalization.

In the end, the players were transferred from the front bus to the helicopters and flew over the cheering fans before safely returning to the federation’s offices.

“The world champions are flying all the way in helicopters because the explosion of joy made it impossible to continue flying on the ground,” Presidential spokeswoman Gabriela Cerutti tweeted.

Television images showed people around the city, including those waiting at the Obelisk and on the surrounding freeways, trying to catch a glimpse of their returning champions.

“It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable, it’s the best thing that can happen in your life,” said 25-year-old locksmith Matias Gomez. “It is a great joy to see all these happy people, all together, with each other, holding hands, hugging, kissing. We are all one today.”

Source: Reuters, A24.