Sun 02 October 2022:
At least 174 people have died in a fatal football stampede after Arema FC lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya in a home game on Saturday night at Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java, Indonesia, Deputy East Java Governor Emil Dardak told local media on Sunday.
A police statement said supporters of the losing team stormed the pitch after the game, with the number rising to some 3,000 as tension escalated. Those on the pitch ran to exits after tear gas was used.
According to East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta, 34 people died at the scene and the rest died at hospitals, with two police officers among the dead.
In a stadium that holds 38,000 people, 42,000 tickets were issued for this match.
In fear of violence, fans of the visiting team, Persebaya Surabaya, were not allowed to buy tickets for Saturday’s match, as the two teams are long-time rivals.
Zainudin Amali, Indonesia’s sports minister, called for a full investigation after the incident and said authorities would re-evaluate safety at football matches, possibly not allowing spectators.
“We will thoroughly evaluate the organization of the match and the attendance of supporters. Will we return to banning supporters from attending the matches? That is what we will discuss,” Amali said.
Yunus Nusi, secretary general of Indonesia’s football association (PSSI), said that FIFA had requested a report on the deadly incident that occurred in the Javanese city of Malang and a PSSI team had been sent to the site to investigate.
Indonesia is scheduled to host the FIFA under-20 World Cup in May and June next year.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Sunday ordered a police investigation into the stampede.
He also instructed the PSSI to temporarily halt all football matches in the Southeast Asian country until the related investigation is complete.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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