Football stadium stampede in East Java kills 125
At least 125 people, including 32 children (by the latest count) were killed in one of the world’s worst sports stadium disasters on Saturday night at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang regency of East Java province (on the island of Java) in Indonesia.
The tragedy occurred after a football match between two Javanese clubs, Arema and Persebaya Surabaya. Supporters of the losing club, Arema (lost 2-3), also the home side, stormed the pitch, to control whom the authorities fired teargas, leading to a stampede. The resulting crush as well as cases of suffocation led to the deaths, according to East Java’s police chief, Nico Afinta. Two police officers were also killed.
Indonesian police said on Monday that they were investigating 18 officers responsible for firing tear gas that set off the crush. Arema FC president Gilang Widya Pramana apologised on Monday on behalf of the club, saying he was ready to take full responsibility for the events.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo ordered compensation for the families of the 125 victims, a minister said on Monday.
FIFA, world football’s governing body, called the incident a “dark day for all involved”. It has asked Indonesian football authorities for a report on the incident.
