At least 125 people died after stampede at Indonesian football match – police say ‘it had gotten anarchic’

News Desk
174 people died at game

At least 125 people are reported to have died after a crush at a game on Saturday in Indonesia between Arema FC and rivals Persebaya Surabaya.

Police reportedly tear-gassed some supporters after Arema FC were beaten 3-2 by Peresebaya Surabaya in East Java.


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Certain local officials put the death toll at 174, but East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardakwere has revised the total down to 125. It is said that said the initial figure “may have included duplicate fatalities”.

The country’s chief security minister Mohammad Mahfud said 42,000 tickets had been told for the 38,000 capacity stadium and posted on Instagram: “To the victims family, our condolences. We also hope that the victims’ families will be patient and continue to coordinate with the government officials in the field.

“I need to emphasize that the tragedy of Kanjuruhan is not a clash between Persebaya supporters and Arema. Because Persebaya supporters can’t watch at that match. Supporters in the field are only from Arema.

“Therefore, the victims generally died from pushing, squeezing, trampling, and shortness of breath. There were no victims of beating or harassment between supporters.

“The government has made improvements to the implementation of football matches over time and will continue to improve.”

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has also expressed his condolences to those affected by the incident:

“I deeply regret this tragedy and I hope this is the last soccer tragedy in this country. Don’t let another human tragedy like this happen in the future,” he said.

“We must continue to maintain sportsmanship, humanity and a sense of brotherhood of the Indonesian nation.”

Indonesia’s sports Minister Zainudin Amali has talked about the disaster. He said: “This tragedy happened when we were preparing for soccer game activities, both national and international level”.

Indonesia were due to host the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, with 24 teams competing in the competition. The host of the tournament will automatically qualify.

Amali added: “Unfortunately, this incident has certainly injured our soccer image.”

Fans reportedly ran onto the pitch after the final whistle and police then fired tear gas, leading to the stampede.

The Indonesian football association (PSSI) has launched an investigation and Indonesia president Joko Widodo has ordered the league to be halted.

“I express my deepest condolences for the football tragedy that took lives in Kanjuruhan, Malang,” he wrote on Twitter. “Due to this incident, I ordered the PSSI football league to be temporarily suspended until evaluation and security improvements were made.”

Nico Afinta, police chief in East Java, said two officers were among the dead and added to a news conference: “It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars.

“We would like to convey that not all of them were anarchic. Only about 3,000 who entered the pitch.”