3/10/2022–|Last update: 3/10/202205:25 PM (Mecca)
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday ordered compensation of up to 50 million rupiah ($3,200) to each family of victims of the soccer match riots, which was considered one of the worst sports stadium accidents ever.
National Police spokesman Didi Prasetyo announced – in a press conference – that the National Police Chief decided to relieve “Malang Police Chief Ferli Hedayat from his duties”, in addition to “suspending the work of 9 policemen and interrogating them.”
The tragedy occurred last Saturday evening in the city of Malang (in the east of the country), and led to the death of 125 people and the injury of 323 others.
Arima FC fans invaded the Kanjuruhan stadium after their team lost 2-3 to Persibaya Surabaya.
The police tried to disperse the crowd of fans who stormed the stadium by firing tear gas, and fired it at the stands; This caused the fans to panic and quickly flee, causing a large number of casualties.
Most of the victims died from lack of oxygen during a stampede after fans stormed the Kanjuruhan Stadium, East Java police chief Niko Aventa said.
In turn, the President of the International Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino – in a statement – said on Sunday that the disaster at the Indonesia Stadium “is a tragedy beyond imagination.”
He added that the football world is in shock after the tragic events in Indonesia, describing what happened as a “black day for all football lovers”.
The Indonesian government has apologized for what happened, promising to investigate the circumstances of the incident.
Indonesia will host the U-20 World Cup in May and June next year, and is among 3 countries that bid to host the Asian Cup next year after China withdrew.