Indonesia: Know what triggered the stampede that killed 174 people, left hundreds injured at a football match

More than 170 people were killed and 180 others were injured during a stampede and clashes at a football match in Malang, East Java province, on Sunday, According to Indonesian Police, 

East Java police chief Nico Afinta told reporters that when fans of the losing home team entered the field on Saturday night in the province to show their resentment, police used tear gas in an attempt to control the situation, causing a stampede and cases of suffocation. “It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars,” Nico said, adding that the crush occurred when fans fled for an exit gate.

Two policemen were among the deceased persons in the incident, he added.

Afinta said that preliminary findings showed that most of the deaths were due to the stampede, while other people may have died because of breathing difficulties.

"Nearly 34 people died inside the stadium and the rest died in hospital," he added.

October 2, 2022

According to the police official, a large number of supporters of the losing team refused to accept the defeat of the game and climbed over the fence and entered the football pitch, resulting in clashes with the Police and a stampede.

According to local media reports, supporters of both football teams brawled and fought inside the stadium, and riot police fired tear gas at them, which caused panic among crowds. People scrambled to leave the stadium, leading to a stampede at an exit.

Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali apologised for the incident, said authorities will investigate into the clashes and reassess the organisers` management and security measures at the Indonesian football tournament.

(with inputs from IANS)