According to Reuters, citing authorities, a stampede that ensued following unrest during a football game in Indonesia resulted in at least 174 fatalities and several injuries. The incident happened on Saturday night at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang Regency, East Java, during a football game in Indonesia’s top league, BRI Liga 1.
Following a match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya, supporters from the losing team invaded the field, causing a stampede and cases of suffocation, according to Nico Afinta, the Indonesian Police Chief in the East Java Province, who told reporters that the situation required the use of tear gas.
Nico stated in a statement on Sunday that “34 people perished within the stadium and the remainder died in hospitals.”
Images of body bags and video footage of people rushing onto the pitch in the Malang stadium were posted on social media.
“It had become chaotic. When the crush erupted, they began assaulting police and damaging cars, Nico added.
In a statement late Saturday night, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) expressed remorse for the event and announced that a team had headed for Malang to begin an investigation into what transpired after the game.
PSSI expresses remorse for the actions taken by Arema supporters at Kanjuruhan Stadium.
We regret the event and sincerely apologize to the victims’ families as well as to all parties involved. In response to that, PSSI promptly organized an inquiry team and departed for Malang, according to the statement. Following the riot, which left at least 174 dead and 180 injured, the league has stopped games for a week. The stadium houses 42,000 people, and authorities believe it was sold out.