174 people were killed in Indonesia as a result of violence after a Premier League match.
The match between Arima and Persibaya in the Premier League took place at the Kanjuruhan Stadium and ended with the away team winning 3-2.
A large number of fans invaded the pitch immediately after the final whistle, causing one of the deadliest fan disasters in football history on the Indonesian island of Java.
Indonesian police said 129 people died in the events, before Emil Dardak, the deputy governor of East Java province, updated the number to 174, as well as more than 180 injured.
Police reported that most of the deaths occurred as a result of a stampede during the escape after tear gas was fired, resulting in suffocation, trampling and crushing of the crowd.
Arima’s first defeat to historical rivals Persibaya in more than two decades caused public outcry.
About 3,000 fans stormed the stadium and security forces hit them with tear gas.
Indonesian Interior Minister Muhammad Mahfouz said 42,000 tickets were sold for the match in a stadium with a seating capacity of 38,000.
Mahfouz clarified that there have been no clashes between the two teams’ promotion ties, because Persiebaya fans cannot attend matches at the Arima stadium primarily due to the previous tension between the two clubs.
The minister explained that “the victims fell into the water due to the stampede, stumbling and lack of air. There were no victims as a result of beatings or assaults among the fans.”
“The fans headed for the exit, but there was a massive sweep with lack of oxygen and respiratory problems,” said Nico Aventa, police chief of East Java province.
He added: “At least 34 people died inside the stadium and the rest occurred during the transfer to nearby hospitals.”
In turn, Joko Widodo, president of Indonesia, ordered the suspension of all league games until the incident was investigated.
The Indonesian Football Association opened an immediate investigation into the incident, which it described as a distortion of the face of football in the country.
Indonesia is expected to host the FIFA Youth World Cup next summer.
The Spanish Football Association has announced a minute of silence before all league matches in the different grades.
Many European clubs have expressed their solidarity with the victims who died in the accident.
🇮🇩 Heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. 🙏 #Indonesia ❤️
– Sergio Ramos (@Sergio Ramos) October 2, 2022
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Manchester United are deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia.
We send our sincere condolences to the victims, their families and all those affected.
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2022
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FC Barcelona is saddened by the tragic events at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Indonesia and rejects all acts of violence both on and off the pitch.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims.
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 2, 2022
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We are deeply saddened to learn of the events in Malang at today’s Kanjuruhan Indonesia Stadium.
Together with all those who find a connection through football, our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.
– Arsenale (@Arsenale) October 2, 2022
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Paris Saint-Germain expresses its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragedy of the stadium in Malang, Indonesia.
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 2, 2022
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We are deeply saddened to learn of the events at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, Indonesia.
Everyone’s thoughts at Liverpool Football Club are with everyone affected right now.
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 2, 2022
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Everton Football Club is deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected.
– Everton (@Everton) October 2, 2022
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We are deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia. There should never be violence in a football match.
Everyone’s thoughts at Ajax are with everyone who is affected by it.
– AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 2, 2022
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