By: Natasha Archary
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has confirmed that 174 people have been killed in an Indonesia football stadium riot.
More than 180 others were injured at the stadium in Malang, East Java on Saturday 01 October.
Reports suggest that irate fans stormed the pitch after the home side, Arema FC lost by 2 goals to 3 against Persebaya Surabaya.
Police used tear gas to disperse the crowds and panic ensued resulting in fans rushing to the stadium’s exits where many were crushed to death.
Others suffocated from the tear gas and unconscious fans were carried off by fans.
Altercations between police and fans exacerbated the situation and police fired multiple rounds of tear gas into the crowd and used force to apprehend several people.
Eyewitnesses say fans started attacking officials, and damaged police vehicles in the process.
Two police officers were killed in the aftermath of the Indonesia football stadium riot.
Fifa, the world’s governing football body, states that no “crowd control gas” should be carried or used by stewards or police at matches.
A full investigation into the tragedy will be underway, and Indonesia President President Joko Widodo has called for all football matches to be halted until the investigation is complete.
Football clubs from around the world have expressed their sadness over the Kanjuruhan Stadium riot, including Liverpool FC, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, FC Barcelona and others.
BREAKING: At least 127 people killed, 180 injured in riot at football stadium in Indonesia, police say pic.twitter.com/WmuI67yJoi
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 1, 2022
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