At least 174 people have been feared dead in a stampede at a football match in Indonesia — in one of the world’s worst stadium disasters.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday night after a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium in the eastern city of Malang.
Police in Indonesia said thousands of furious Arema fans invaded the pitch after their team lost the encounter 3-2 to their bitter rivals.
Nico Afinta, East Java police chief, said in an attempt to stop the brawls on the field, officers fired tear gas, triggering the stampede as panicked fans rushed to the exit gates.
“It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars,” BBC quoted Nico to have said.
“We would like to convey that… not all of them were anarchic. Only about 3,000 who entered the pitch.
The police chief added that fleeing fans “went out to one point at the exit. Then there was a build-up, in the process of accumulation there was shortness of breath, lack of oxygen”.
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About 180 persons were also injured in the stampede as videos on social media showed the moment fans were struggling to escape.
Hundreds of people were rushed to nearby hospitals but many were declared dead on arrival while others died during treatment.
Reacting to the incident, Gianni Infantino, FIFA president said it was “a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension”.
“The football world is in a state of shock following the tragic incidents that have taken place in Indonesia,” he said.
“This is a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following this tragic incident.
“Together with Fifa and the global football community, all our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, those who have been injured, together with the people of the Republic of Indonesia, the Asian Football Confederation, the Indonesian Football Association, and the Indonesian Football League, at this difficult time.”
The development comes a few months after a similar stampede took place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup.
In March, the Black Stars of Ghana ended Nigeria’s dream of becoming the first African country to qualify for four consecutive World Cups.
TheCable had reported how Joseph Kabungo, the medical doctor from Zambia who doubled as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) doping control officer of the match, died in the stampede.
Source: Top Stories