Indonesia Kanjuruhan Stadium stampede: BRI Liga 1 football games suspended for a week

At least 129 people were killed in a stampede that occurred after police used tear gas to break up fights at an Indonesian football tournament, the majority of them were crushed to death.

The Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java, saw numerous clashes between supporters of the two competing soccer clubs following the Indonesian Premier League match, in which Persebaya Surabaya won 3-2 over Arema Malang.

Also read: Indonesia Kanjuruhan Stadium stampede: 129 dead as fans exit football match

East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta claims that fights that started soon after the game ended late on a Saturday night led to the use of tear gas by riot police, which scared onlookers.

To escape the tear gas, hundreds of people hurried to an exit gate. 34 people almost instantly died from asphyxia, trampling, and other chaos-related causes. Officials also said that two police officers are among the dead.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has announced that following this match, BRI Liga 1 games in Indonesia have been suspended for a week and an investigation has been launched, adding that the incident had “tarnished the face of Indonesian football.” 

Also read: Indonesia stadium stampede: See fans clash after Persebaya Surabaya-Arema Malang match

Indonesia’s sports minister, Zainudin Amali, told KompasTV that the government would reassess stadium safety, including the possibility of banning fan entry.

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96 Liverpool fans were killed in Britain in April 1989 when a fenced-in, overcrowded enclosure at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield collapsed, making it one of the worst stadium tragedies in history.

In May and June of 20203, Indonesia will host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. They are also one of three nations vying to host the Asian Cup, the continent’s version of the Euros after China withdrew as the hosts.