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.
A police officer blocks a burning truck in front of the stadium
The riots broke out after the Premier League soccer match between Arema FC and Persebaya FC. After the 3-2 defeat in Malang, thousands of spectators stormed the pitch. 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.
According to Afinta, most people died from a lack of oxygen. According to him, around 180 people are still being treated in clinics.
kle/wa (dpa, afp, rtr)
