From the BZ editorial team
At least 129 people were killed in serious riots following a soccer game in the Indonesian province of East Java.
Police used tear gas to disperse the rampaging fans, Inspector General Nico Afinta said at an impromptu press conference on Sunday. Then there was a mass panic.
34 people died on the field of Kanjuruhan Stadium, all others in hospitals, Afinta said, according to the radio station “Elshinta” and the station “tvOne”. He initially gave no information about the cause of the tragedy.
The riots broke out after the first division game between Arema FC and Persebaya FC. After the 3-2 defeat in Malang, thousands of spectators stormed the pitch.
Pictures show the square storm and smoke damage on the square and in the stands. The riots also damaged 13 vehicles, including ten police vehicles.
“In this incident, 129 people died, two of whom are members of the national police,” Chief Inspector Afinta was quoted as saying.
A local health official said many of the victims died from “chaos, overcrowding, trampling and suffocation”. According to him, around 180 people are still in clinics.
The President of the host, Abdul Haris, claimed responsibility in an official statement: “We apologize to the families of the victims and stand ready to compensate. We will first set up a crisis center where relatives can get information.”
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) suspended play in the first division for a week and has launched an investigation.
Fan violence is a big problem in Indonesia. Deep rivalries often result in deadly disputes. Some games are so charged that the players of the top teams have to travel to away games under special protection.
(gla, dpa)