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It is considered one of the worst tragedies in recent history of world football. Unfortunately, the death toll from the violent riots during a match on the Indonesian island of Java has risen to 174, which have also left dozens of others injured, according to official sources. This was confirmed by the vice governor of East Java province, Emil Dardak, in statements to journalists updating the situation regarding the confrontation between fans and the Police, who used tear gas, after a meeting at Kanjuruhan stadium in the city of Malang.
The outbreak of violence occurred after about 3,000 Arema team fans stormed the field following their 2-3 defeat against rival Persebaya Surabaya and clashed with security forces, who in turn used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
Initially, Indonesian authorities had put the number of deaths at 129, including two policemen, and around 180 injured, who were taken to various hospitals in the region in different states of severity.
As explained by the police chief of East Java, Nico Afinta, most of the deaths occurred as a result of the stampede of the fans and many died from suffocation while trying to leave the stadium.
"It became anarchic. (The fans) began to attack the officers, damaged the cars," Afinta said at a press conference, adding that the crowd gathered when the attendees fled towards an exit door.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed "his deepest condolences" and announced that he has determined "a thorough assessment of the execution of football matches" and "security procedures for their celebration", as well as an investigation to "thoroughly investigate" the events in Malang.
Meanwhile, Minister of Sports Zainudin Amali stated in statements to the Kompas agency that he would reassess security at football matches and does not rule out the possibility of not allowing spectators in stadiums.
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