According to police sources, over than 25.000 people went to say goodbye to pop icon Roberto ‘Sandro' Sánchez at the National Congress. Minutes before it turned 2:00pm, the gates were open and thousands of fans and followers flew to the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos saloon to see the singer for the last time after he passed away in Mendoza yesterday night.

The coffin which contained Sandro's remains arrived at the Congress at 11:50pm from a morgue located in Palermo's neighborhood, and, from 1:00pm on, the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos saloon was available to receive visits and be the home for the singer's farwell. People have been queuing since 11:00pm yesterday.

In spite of the stifling heat wave, several fans traveled from different Argentine provinces and from Buenos Aires city surroundings to be able to see Sandro for the last time. People will be allowed to enter the Congress all night long due the huge amount of fans sorrounding the area.

A recent press release stated that doors will remain open until 1:00pm tomorrow.

Sandro's family has specifically begged everyone not to take photographic cameras inside the room where his remains are being mourned. Due to this, no TV cameras or personal cameras are allowed and no pictures of Sandro lying in his coffin have reached the press.

However, the coffin is open and fans treasure the possibility of being able to see Sandro, who is wearing a silver silk blanket.

Like a parade, followers were everywhere to be seen, reaching six blocks of Rivadavia Avenue, Callao Street, Sarmiento Street and Riombamba Street.

Among others, some of the most well-known figures of the entertainment showbiz have made their way into the Congress to be a part of Sandro's wake. Some of them are the actor Víctor Laplace, Buenos Aires city Culture Minister Hernán Lombardi, and journalists such as Miguel Tití Fernández and Fernando Bravo.

It was Bravo who declared that, "above his artistic features, Sandro was a great guy, an excellent person." Rock musician Andrés Calamaro sent a funeral wreath, and the authorities of Canal 7 TV channel did the same as well.

An important event which took place during the afternoon was the Aguas y Saneamientos Argentinos public water supplier's aid given to the fans and followers: to soften the waiting in the line, a truck/cistern appeared and several people gave glasses of water and assistance to everyone who needed it. SAME emergency medical assistance system was present as well, under the charge of its head Alberto Crescenti, and set up a sort of hospital in Rivadavia Avenue and Callao Street crossroad. This street hospital had sixteen beds and two units devoted to the transfer of people. Around 20 people were assisted.

The queu around the Congress was moving slowly, andi it took approximately in between two and three hours to reach the Sandro's place inside the saloon where his remains where resting. Street-sellers were all over the queue: Sandro's posters were 2 pesos; roses and carnations, 1 peso and 2 pesos and fans to get through the heat were sold at 5 pesos, among other articles.

The Salón de los Pasos Perdidos saloon was full of red roses -the singer's favourites- which the fans had been leaving there during the day to honor their idol. Some of those who approached the coffin crossed themselves, some others remained in silence and some others could not help to cry.

Some followers approached the Congress wearing scarves, T-shirts, showing flags and CD covers of Sandro.

Several people came from Argentina's provinces. Miguel, for instance, traveled with his daughter Camila, a nine-year-old Sandro fan, and, after getting the chance to say goodbye to the singer, queued twice in order to be able to see him again.

Beatriz and Norma, two seventy-six and seventy-eight year-olds, traveled by bus from Concordia city to mourn Sandro the closest they could. They declared: "He has always been with us, he has always accompanied us during our lives, so we are here to give him a farewell message."

A man from Santa Fe quoted Puerto Rican artist Héctor Lavoe and expressed that "Sandro was the singer's ultimate king."

Inside the saloon, there was a special place for Sandro's family, closest friends and artists who knew the pop icon. Funeral wreaths were decorating the surroundings: most of them had been sent by celebrities and important cultural figures.

After the funeral is finished tomorrow, the singer's body will be transferred -throught a funeral procession consisting of five vehicles- to Gloriam Cementerio Jardín cemetery of Buenos Aires province locality of Longchamps.

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• Mendoza province administration gives support message to Sandro's family

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