A tragic incident occurred after a football match in Indonesia last night that killed 174 fans and left several others critically injured as a riot broke inside the stadium and bodies got crushed in the stampede. Learn what happened that triggered the freak violence in a football stadium.
FIFA President has lamented the Indonesia football match violence and called it a “dark day” in the history of football. The death toll is set to rise as the identification of the deceased is still continuing.
Riot and Stampede After Football Match in Indonesia Kills Hundreds
The supporters of the losing home team invaded the pitch in the Kanjuruhan stadium to express their frustration and police officers fired tear gas in an attempt to control the situation. However, it backfired and the riot turned into a stampede that killed hundreds of fans.
At least 174 people were killed and countless others were left injured in the Indonesia football match violence. The footage from the disaster has gone viral on social media platforms. You can have a look at it here:
Indonesia moments of disaster. pic.twitter.com/XkiyXHgpQg
— Lenar (@1975cpu) October 2, 2022
The clips reveal panicked fans got trampled and crushed trying to flee during the riot while many people also died due to suffocation. Uniformed officers were seen beating fans with batons and riot shields as they charged toward the center of the field.
Many people were seen carrying their unconscious mates as they collapsed due to the horrible situation inside the stadium.
Stampede Started After Police Fired Tear Gas Inside the Kanjuruhan Stadium
A riot first broke inside the Kanjuruhan stadium after the home team lost to bitter rivals in an important match as fans were left utterly frustrated. They started damaging the properties of the stadium and charged toward the center of the field.
The police fired several tear gas shots to control the situation which then turned the violence into a stampede that killed hundreds and injured countless fans. According to a fan present at the stadium, the officials fired over 20 tear gas shots toward spectators.
The people that died in the tragic incident sustained brain injuries, head injuries, and suffocated to death. The deceased also included a five-year-old child from the East Java province.
FIFA President Releases a Statement on Tragic Indonesia Football Match Violence
“The football world is in a state of shock following the tragic incidents that have taken place in Indonesia at the end of the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
“This is a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following this tragic incident,” he added.
“Together with FIFA and the global football community, all our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, those who have been injured, together with the people of the Republic of Indonesia, the Asian Football Confederation, the Indonesian Football Association, and the Indonesian Football League, at this difficult time.”
Football World Mourning the Loss of the Deceased
The football world is left stunned by the tragedy that killed 174 people after a football match violence in Indonesia. The players and the fans are mourning the loss of the deceased and sending condolences to their families.
Spanish clubs will also observe a minute’s silence before kick-off in the remaining matches on the weekend as a mark of respect for the victims of the deadly stadium stampede in Indonesia.
FIFA has launched a probe to investigate the horrifying incident and one of the worst stadium disasters in history. A report from the Indonesia Football Association is awaited by FIFA.
Our deepest condolences go out to the families that lost their loved ones. May God let the departed souls rest in peace.