The police used tear gas to disperse the rampaging fans, Police Inspector General Nico Afinta said at a press conference. 34 people died on the field of Kanjuruhan Stadium, all others in hospitals, Afinta said according to reports from radio station Elshinta and station tvOne. The fatalities include two members of Indonesia’s national police. He initially gave no information about the cause of the tragedy.
Football fans storm onto the stadium lawn
The riots broke out after the Premier League soccer match between Arema FC and Persebaya FC. Following the 2-3 defeat in Malang, thousands of angry spectators stormed the pitch. It was Arema FC’s first defeat in more than two decades. When the police used tear gas, mass panic broke out. Many of the victims were apparently trampled to death.
Photos published on the tvOne website show, among other things, a completely destroyed car in the stadium. Further pictures show the storming of the square as well as clouds of smoke on the soccer field and in the stands.
A destroyed police car in the stadium after the riots
At one exit there was a traffic jam and “shortness of breath and lack of oxygen”, explained Afinta. According to him, around 180 people are being treated in clinics. The riots also damaged 13 vehicles, including ten police vehicles.
The Indonesian government apologized for the incident. She promised to investigate the circumstances of the stampede. “We regret this incident,” Indonesian Minister of Sports and Youth Zainudin Amali told Kompas television. He announced a thorough review of the game organization.
Security forces use tear gas at the soccer game
First condolences
The Arema and Persebaya football clubs expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. “Arema FC expresses its sincere condolences for the disaster in Kanjuruhan. Arema FC’s management is also responsible for dealing with the victims, both dead and injured,” said club boss Abdul Haris. The club will set up a crisis center and a victim information center. One is also “ready to pay compensation”.
A burnt-out car in front of the football stadium in Malang
The Indonesian Football Association suspended play in the first division for a week. Arema were banned from playing home games for the remainder of the season. In addition, the association had set up an investigation team that was supposed to start work on Sunday. The association regrets the actions of Arema supporters in the stadium. “We are sorry and we apologize to the families of the victims and to everyone involved in the incident,” said association chairman Mochamad Iriawan.
Fan violence is considered a problem in Indonesia. Deep rivalries often result in deadly disputes. Some games are so charged that top team players have to travel to away games under protection.
kle/wa (dpa, afp, rtr)
