Brazil: Fans killed amid autograph hounds

SAO PAULO, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Three Brazilians were killed Saturday amid frenzied autograph seeking fans of a Mexican pop group, O Globo TV reported.

The victims killed in the crush of thousands of fans were all female, ages 25, 13 and 12, Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper reported online.

More than 40 people injured while seeking autographs from the RBD band -- a group made popular through their appearances on a soap opera -- were taken to area hospitals.

Officials estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 fans of the group had gathered outside a Sao Paulo shopping mall Saturday to see their idols.