One of the worst disasters in football history occurs in Indonesia – at least 174 people lose their lives, including a five-year-old child. Most died from lack of oxygen. Now the processing begins.
Bn one of the deadliest disasters in football history, the death toll has risen to 174 after a stampede following a game in the Indonesian province of East Java. This was announced by Emir Dardak, Deputy Governor of the region, on Kompas TV on Sunday. Initially, 129 victims were mentioned. Police used tear gas to disperse the rampaging fans, provincial police chief Nico Afinta said at an impromptu press conference on Sunday. A mass panic ensued, and many victims were trampled to death.
34 people died on the field of Kanjuruhan Stadium, all others in hospitals, Afinta said, according to radio station Elshinta and station tvOne. According to the head of a local hospital, some victims suffered brain injuries and a five-year-old child died.
After the final whistle, thousands of spectators stormed the field. The police intervened uncompromisingly
Quelle: dpa/Yudha Prabowo
The riots broke out after the first division game between Arema FC and Persebaya FC. Following Arema’s 3-2 defeat, thousands of spectators stormed the pitch. Photos published on the tvOne website show, among other things, a completely destroyed car in the stadium. Further pictures show the storming of the square and clouds of smoke on the square and in the grandstands.
There were around 42,000 people in the stadium, said Ferli Hidayat, Malang’s local police chief. All were Arema fans because the organizer had banned Persebaya fans from entering the stadium to avoid brawls.
Two police officers died
Two members of the police were also among the dead, said provincial police chief Afinta. Most people died from lack of oxygen. According to Deputy Governor Dardak, more than 100 injured were taken to hospitals, and eleven were in critical condition, he said. The riots also damaged 13 vehicles, including ten police vehicles.
Football fans carry an injured man from the field
Quelle: dpa/Yudha Prabowo
The Arema and Persebaya football clubs expressed their condolences to the victims and their families. “Arema FC extends its deepest condolences for the disaster in Kanjuruhan. Arema FC’s management is also responsible for dealing with the casualties, both dead and injured,” said club boss Abdul Haris.
The club will set up a crisis center and a victim information center. “To the families of the victims, the management of Arema FC sincerely apologizes and stands ready to provide compensation. Management is ready to accept proposals for dealing with the disaster,” said Haris.
A wrecked police vehicle lies on the stadium’s lawn
Quelle: dpa/Yudha Prabowo
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) suspended play in the first division for a week. Arema were banned from playing home games for the remainder of the season. In addition, the association had set up an investigation team that was supposed to start work on Sunday. “PSSI regrets the actions of Aremania supporters at Kanjuruhan Stadium. We are sorry and apologize to the families of the victims and to everyone involved in the incident,” said Mochamad Iriawan, President of the Association. The police will be assisted in the investigation.
Indonesian president orders game to stop
The Indonesian government also announced that it would investigate the case. “We regret the incident,” said Minister of Sport and Youth Zainudin Amali on the television station Kompas. He wanted to reassess the safety conditions for football games and also brought a temporary ban on viewers into play on the broadcaster KompasTV. According to the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the game in the first division should be stopped until the investigations and improvements have been evaluated by the Indonesian association PSSI.
The morning after: A pair of sneakers lie on the stands of Kanjuruhan Stadium
Quelle: dpa/Hendra Permana
Indonesia is considered a football-loving country. Although there is a lack of international success, there are always riots and violence around football games. In 2018, a fan was killed by a mob of supporters from a rival club. The country is hosting the U-20 World Cup from 20 May to 11 June 2023 with 24 teams taking part. As the host country, Indonesia automatically qualifies for the cup.
The stampede is one of the worst disasters in football history. In 1964, more than 300 people died in a match between Peru and Argentina in Lima. The 1989 Hillsborough disaster killed 96 Liverpool fans and injured more than 700.
