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 was held at Kanjuruhan Stadium and ended with the away team winning 3-2.
Large numbers of fans invaded the field immediately after the final whistle, resulting in one of the deadliest fan disasters in the history of football 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, in addition to more than 180 people were injured.
Police reported that most of the deaths occurred as a result of a stampede while fleeing after tear gas was fired, causing suffocation, trampling and crushing of crowds.
Arima’s first defeat to arch-rivals Persibaya in more than two decades has caused a public outcry.
About 3,000 fans stormed the stadium, and the security forces met them with tear gas.
The Indonesian Interior Minister, Muhammad Mahfouz, stated that 42,000 tickets were sold for the match in a stadium with a capacity of 38,000.
Mahfouz clarified that there were no clashes between the two teams’ promotion links, because Persiebaya fans are not allowed to attend matches at Arima stadium in the first place due to the previous tension between the two clubs.
The minister explained that “the victims fell into the water as a result of the stampede, the run-over and the lack of air. There were no victims as a result of beating or assault among the fans.”
“The fans headed towards the exit, but there was a massive run-over with a lack of oxygen and breathing problems,” said Nico Aventa, chief of police for East Java province.
He added: “At least 34 people died inside the stadium, and the rest were taken to nearby hospitals.”
In turn, Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, ordered the suspension of all league matches until the incident was investigated.
The Indonesian Football Association opened an immediate investigation into the incident, which it described as distorting the face of football in the country.
It is expected that Indonesia will host the FIFA Youth World Cup next summer.
The Spanish Football Federation announced a minute’s silence before all league matches in the different grades.
Many European clubs expressed their sympathy for the victims who died in the accident.
???????? Heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. ???? #Indonesia ❤️
– Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) October 2, 2022
Manchester United is deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia.
We send our sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and everyone affected.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2022
FC Barcelona is pained by the tragic events at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesia and rejects all acts of violence both on and off the field.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 2, 2022
We are deeply saddened to learn of the events in Malang at the Kanjuruhan Stadium Indonesia today.
Along with everyone who finds a connection through football, our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 2, 2022
Paris Saint-Germain would like to offer its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the stadium tragedy in Malang, Indonesia.
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 2, 2022
We are deeply saddened to hear of the events at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, Indonesia.
The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with all those affected at this time.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 2, 2022
Everton Football Club is deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone affected.
— Everton (@Everton) October 2, 2022
We are deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia. There should never be violence at a football match.
The thoughts of everyone at Ajax are with all those affected.
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) October 2, 2022