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Indonesia Football horror: What caused stampede at stadium that killed 125? Prez orders safety review of matches

The Indonesian government apologised for the incident. President Joko Widodo on Sunday ordered a safety review of the country's football matches.

TN World Desk

Updated Oct 2, 2022, 21:33 IST

At least 130 people died during a stampede at a Football match in Indonesia's East Java

Photo : AP

Indonesia: The death toll resulting from a stampede during a football match in Indonesia's East Java increased to 125. Notably, the supporters of the losing team invaded the pitch evoking a riot, to which, police responded with tear gas which ultimately triggered a stampede resulting in the death of 125 people. Most of them were trampled to death while trying to exit the stadium. The incident took place on Saturday.

The Indonesian government apologised for the incident. Not only this, Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Sunday ordered a safety review of the country's football matches.

Widodo noted that Indonesia's sports and youth minister, national police chief and Indonesian football association chief were directed 'to conduct a thorough evaluation of football matches and the security procedures.'

What triggered the riot in Indonesia during a football match?

It all started when the Indonesian Football club Arema FC lost 3-2 to their bitter rival Persebaya Surabaya in a first in more than two decades of their rivalry on Saturday evening. Enraged fans of Arema FC stormed the pitch at the Kanjuruhan stadium in the eastern city of Malang.

Disappointed fans of Arema FC flooded the pitch demanding an answer from the club's management for the team's first defeat to their bitter rival in over 23 years. Supporters even throw bottles and other objects at police officers and players.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd which triggered a panic-stricken stampede. Notably, tear gas is banned at soccer stadiums by FIFA. The riot turned violent as it spread outside the stadium and at least five police vehicles were toppled and set ablaze.

While some suffocated, some got trampled during the stampede while trying to evade the tear gas. 34 people along with two police officers are said to have died at the stadium itself.

"More than 300 were rushed to nearby hospitals to treat injuries but many died on the way and during a treatment," East Java Police chief Nico Afinta informed during a press conference.

The death toll is likely to rise, Afinta said further.

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