By Paul Akalonu
Authorities stated yesterday that at least 125 people were killed at an Indonesian football stadium after thousands of enraged home fans stormed the field and police replied with tear gas, causing a stampede.
The Saturday night incident in Malang, which left 323 people injured, was one of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium disasters, according to police.
Arema FC fans invaded the Kanjuruhan stadium after their club fell 3-2 to visiting and bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya.
After two cops were killed, police, who termed the unrest as “riots,” said they tried to drive spectators back into the stands and used tear gas.
East Java deputy governor Emil Dardak informed broadcaster Metro TV that at least 125 people died, considerably lowering officials’ original death toll of 174 due to double counting.
The Indonesian President, Joko Widodo of Indonesia has ordered an investigation into the disaster, as well as a safety review of all football matches, and has urged the country’s football association to stop all matches until “security enhancements” are completed.
According to a hospital director, one of the casualties was five years old.
During the stampede, images from inside the stadium showed police shooting massive amounts of tear gas and people clambering over barriers.
