At least 125 people are believed to have died after a lightning strike during an Indonesian soccer match on Saturday, with Fifa President Gianni Infantino calling it a “dark day”.
The death toll from the stampede at a stadium in Indonesia’s East Java province has been revised down to 125, a government official said on Sunday, after authorities put the figure at 174 earlier in the day.
East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak said cross-checked data from 10 hospitals in the region showed there had been 125 deaths.
Police reportedly spray tear gas on rioting supporters after Arema FC lost 3-2 to rivals Persebaya Surabaya in East Java.
Around 180 people are believed to have been injured in a stampede with one of the world’s worst stadium disasters.
The country’s chief security minister, Mohammad Mahfud, said 42,000 tickets had been sold for the 38,000-seater stadium. He posted on Instagram: “To the family of the victims, our condolences. We also hope the families of the victims will be patient and continue to coordinate with government officials on the ground.
“I must emphasize that the Kanjuruhan tragedy is not a clash between Persebaya supporters and Arema. Because Persebaya fans can’t watch this game. The supporters on the pitch come only from Arema.
“As a result, victims generally died from pushing, squeezing, stomping and shortness of breath. There were no beatings or harassment among supporters.
“The government has made improvements in the implementation of football matches over time and will continue to improve.”
Fans reportedly ran onto the pitch after the final whistle and police then fired tear gas, causing the stampede.
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has launched an investigation and Indonesian President Joko Widodo has ordered the championship to be stopped.
“I express my deepest condolences for the football tragedy that claimed the life of Kanjuruhan, Malang,” he wrote on Twitter. “Due to this incident, I have ordered the temporary suspension of the PSSI football league until the security assessment and improvements are completed.”
East Java police chief Nico Afinta said two officers were among the dead and added at a press conference: “It had become lawless. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars.
“We would like to convey that not all of them were lawless. Only around 3,000 who entered the pitch.
Fifa President Infantino offered his condolences after the death.
“The football world is in shock following the tragic incidents in Indonesia at the end of the game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium,” he said.
“It is a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond belief. I send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives as a result of this tragic incident. .
“Together with Fifa and the global football community, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, those who have been injured, as well as the people of the Republic of Indonesia, the Asian Football Confederation, the Indonesian Football Association and Indonesian Football Federation League at this difficult time – Associated Press
#Dark #day #people #killed #stampede #Indonesian #football #match
