Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg
Fans streamed onto the pitch in the stadium in Malang, a city in East Java, Indonesia, after Arema FC lost to Persebaya Surabaya, 2-3, last night (Oct. 1).
A stampede ensued, causing the death of more than 170 people.
Crowds rush to pitch
Reuters reported that supporters of the losing home team (Arema FC) went onto the pitch to express their frustration.
Fans ran onto the pitch and fled as police entered the field.
The police were wielding batons and holding riot shields. Some were seen kicking, chasing and pushing supporters.
People were also clambering over fences, surrounded by what appeared to be tear gas in the air.
Taken from akmalmarhali/Twitter.
The East Java police chief, Nico Afinta, said that to control the situation, police officers fired tear gas, triggering a stampede and cases of suffocation, according to Reuters.
He added that the crowds started attacking police officers and even damaged cars.
What started the stampede?
The country's minister for political, legal and security affairs, Mahfud MD, said in an Instagram post that the stadium was beyond its capacity with 42,000 tickets issued when it was supposed to hold 38,000 people.
Authorities also encouraged the game to be held in the afternoon instead of at night. However, the organisers ignored this, said Mahfud MD.
Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya have been longtime rivals and Persebaya Surabaya supporters were not allowed to buy tickets for the game.
Therefore, the clash was not between supporters of the two clubs but fans of Arema FC who ran onto the field.
He added: "Because of this, the victims generally died due to pressure, squeezing each other, and trampling, as well as suffocation. There were no victims of beatings or mistreatment between supporters."
Evaluating games and compensation
According to CNA, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a televised statement that a thorough evaluation of football matches and security procedures would be conducted.
Arema FC has been banned from hosting home games for the rest of the season.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) is suspending football matches in Indonesia's top league, BRI Liga 1, for a week.
In addition to Mahfud MD's Instagram statement, he said that the Malang Regency Governor would be covering the hospital cost for the victims.
CNA reported that the governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, said the victims' families would be compensated and receive 15 million rupiah (S$1,412) where 10 million rupiah (S$941.73) comes from the provincial government and five million rupiah (S$470) from the local regency.
Top images via ProfanityNewz and akmalmarhali/Twitter.