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Football riots leave 125 dead including ‘child, 5,’ and two police officers
after fans storm the pitch and clash with cops
Adrian Zorzut
0:41, 2 Oct 2022 Updated: 13:35, 2 Oct 2022
HORROR football riots have left at least 125 fans dead including children and police officers after fans stormed the pitch.
Arema FC fans invaded their ground when the team lost 3-2 at home to their bitter derby rivals Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java, Indonesia.
At least 125 people including children and police officers were killed in a football riotCredit: Reuters
Riot police lobbed tear gas and charged at supporters. Credit: Twitter
Fans smashed police cars after cops threw tear gas into the stampeding crowd. Credit: Reuters
Riot police launched tear gas into the crowds and clubbed supporters with batons in an attempt to gain control.
Harrowing footage showed out-of-control spectators climbing over fences as they tried to escape the smoke.
One eyewitness told the BBC that police had fired numerous tear gas rounds "continuously and fast" when the situation became "tense".
Pictures of the aftermath showed smashed and burnt-out cars whilst clothes and personal items littered the floor.
Several news agencies reported that the death toll could be as high as 174 but the number was later revised and dropped to 125.
With its horrifying death toll, it's thought the stampede could be the world's worst stadium disaster with at least 180 injured, according to cops.
A doctor also claimed that a five-year-old boy was among the dead - whilst two are thought to be police officers.
A clip posted online appeared to show hallways of a nearby hospital lined with dead bodies and casualties.
Local reports suggest medical facilities have struggled to cope with the influx of battered fans, causing the death toll to skyrocket.
Indonesia's chief security minister, Mahfud MD, has said on social media that the stadium was filled beyond capacity.
While the sporting venue is only supposed to hold 38,000 people, he claimed 42,000 tickets had been issued.
Akhmad Hadian Lukita, the president of PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB), said league officials were "concerned and deeply regret this incident".
"We share our condolences and hopefully this will be a valuable lesson for all of us," he said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also responded to the tragic events.
In a statement, he said: "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.
"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.
"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."
All remaining BRI Liga 1 matches will be suspended for a week while the Indonesian FA confirmed Arema will not host any more games for the rest of the season.
That's not good enough. Arema FC should be suspended for an entire year. Rushing the field should mean an immediate one-game suspension for both teams and it should double for each and every occurrence.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said it would start an investigation into what happened after the game.
Mr Lukita said: "We announced the decision after we received a direction from the Chairman of PSSI.
"We are doing this to respect everything and while waiting for the investigation process from PSSI."
General chair Mochamad Iriawan said: "PSSI regrets the actions of Aremania supporters at the Kanjuruhan Stadium.
"We are sorry and apologise to the families of the victims and all parties for the incident.
"For that PSSI immediately formed an investigation team and immediately left for Malang."
Plain-clothed officers stand near the wreckage of police vehicles damaged during a clash. Credit: AP
Arema took an early 2-0 lead before the away team slipped two goals past them by halftime and a third in the second half.
The loss was too much for Arema fans who stormed the pitch in protest - it's thought there were several players still on the turf at the time.
Riot police swept in to disperse the hooligans with tear gas and charged in with shields and batons.
Police pushed fans back into the stands and were spotted clobbering them with their batons and kicking others.
One police officer was seen judo kicking one spectator in the back.
Fans then began trampling over one another as they fled for safety.
Other images showed police cars burnt out on the pitch and rioting outside on the streets after the match had ended.
Local outlet Kompas claims the tear gas did not disperse, leading to a shortness of breathe and unconsciousness.
Persebaya's official Twitter account has posted: "Persebaya's extended family deeply mourns the loss of life after the Arema FC vs Persebaya match. No single life is worth football.
No football is worth a single life!
"We pray for the victims and may the families left behind be given strength."
We pray for authorities to be given the wisdom and courage to deal with this decisively.
