The survivors said that police fired teargas on spectators which created panic in them. Since the stadium was packed, it caused maximum loss of human lives.
New Delhi: As many as 174 people lost their lives while 180 were injured during a stampede at a football stadium in Indonesia when fans invaded the ground. According to the report, the angered local fans invaded the pitch and the police used tear gas on them. The police action reportedly caused a stampede at the stadium.
According to the report more than 150 people had lost their lives till morning and later the death toll reached 174. The incident happened on Saturday night in the eastern city of Malang. Law enforcement agency said that they tried to force fans to return to the stands. They claimed that use of tear gas was done after two policemen were killed.
The survivors said that police fired teargas on spectators which created panic in them. Since the stadium was packed, it caused maximum loss of human lives. They claimed that amid firing of tear gas, people started running hither and thither. They started pushing each other causing maximum damage. They said that police suddenly started firing tear gas shells and did not even care about children and women present at the stadium.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed his condolences for those who died in the world’s worst sports tragedy. Widodo ordered an investigation, a safety review into all football matches and directed the country’s football association to suspend all matches until “security improvements” were completed.
He said, “I express my deepest condolences for the football tragedy that took lives in Kanjuruhan, Malang, last night. Due to this incident, I ordered the PSSI football league to be temporarily suspended until evaluation and security improvements were made.”
