Indonesia Stadium Stampede: Death Toll Revised to 125 As ‘Some Victims Were Counted Twice’
At least 125 died at a football stadium in Indonesia and over 300 people were injured after fans invaded the pitch, triggering a stampede and forcing cops to respond wi
The incident occurred after a football match in East Java province between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya that ended on Saturday night. Minutes after the final whistle, supporters from the losing team invaded the pitch and police were seen firing tear gas that triggered a stampede and cases of suffocation, according to the East Java police chief Nico Afinta, reports Reuters.
At least 125 people died, East Java deputy governor Emil Dardak told broadcaster Metro TV on Sunday evening, significantly lowering officials’ earlier death toll of 174 because of double counting, AFP reported.
Arema FC supporters at the Kanjuruhan stadium in the eastern city of Malang stormed the pitch late after their team lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya, the first loss in more than two decades to their bitter rival. Police, who characterised the unrest as “riots”, tried to persuade fans to return to the stands and some were seen with riot gear beating up people. Two officers were among those who died in what appears to be one of the world’s worst stadium disasters.
According to the police, 34 people died inside the stadium while other died in a hospital nearby adding that many people were crushed and suffocated when they ran to one exit. Videos from inside the stadium during the stampede showed huge amounts of tear gas and people clambering over fences.
Officials said there have been previous outbreaks of trouble at matches in Indonesia, with a strong rivalry between clubs sometimes leading to violence among supporters.
