At least 129 people died, mostly trampled to death, in Indonesia’s Malang city in East Java province after police fired tear gas to stop brawls following a soccer match, said the police on Sunday, reported news agency Associated Press.
Several fights were reported from inside the Kanjuruhan stadium in the city between two rival soccer teams after the Indonesian Premier League game ended with Persebaya Surabaya beating Arema Malang 3-2, reported the news agency.
As per the report quoting East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta as saying, the brawls that broke out just after the game ended late night Saturday prompted riot police to fire tear gas, which caused panic among supporters.
In an effort to avoid the tear gas hundreds of people ran towards the exit gate where some suffocated in the chaos while others trampled, leaving almost 24 people dead instantly.
Hundreds of people ran to an exit gate to avoid the tear gas. Some suffocated in the chaos and others were trampled. More than 300 were rushed to nearby hospitals but many died on the way and during treatment, Afinta said. https://t.co/LGHBlKCwFo
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 2, 2022
Over 300 of them were rushed to nearby hospitals to treat injuries, but many died on the way and during treatment, Afinta said, adding that among the dead are two policemen as well.
The death toll is likely still increasing, since many of about 180 injured victims’ condition were deteriorating, he added.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian football association said that it had launched a probe, adding that the incident had “tarnished the face of Indonesian football,” stated a report by BBC.
Following the incident, the top league BRI Liga 1 has been suspended for a week, the BBC report added.