At least 125 people have been killed and dozens injured in a riot and a stampede at an Indonesian football stadium.
Reports say the resulting stampede, which happened on Saturday after a keenly-contested Indonesian Liga game, appears to have been triggered by the home supporters who surged into the field of play after the full-time whistle, protesting their team’s 3-2 defeat by their rivals, Persebaya Surabaya.
The issue of pitch invasion has continued to threaten the beautiful game globally following the latest tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium.
The stampede was reportedly triggered by a scuffle between the security officials and angry fans who jumped onto the pitch after the score-line was confirmed as the final result.
According to East Java Police inspector, Nico Afinta, children and police officers were killed and many injured. panicked fans were trampled and crushed while trying to flee the scuffle after the police fired tear-gas to control the crowd.
The melee triggered a stampede and cases of suffocation as fans fled for an exit gate.
East Java Police Chief Inspector, Nico Afinta told reporters as per Reuters via Quint.
“It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars,” Mr Afinta said.
“We would like to convey that… not all of them were anarchic. Only about 3,000 entered the pitch,” he said.
Culled / Titilayo Kupoliyi
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