Hundreds killed, hurt in stampede at Indonesia football match

ALJAZEERA:

At least 125 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a riot and a stampede at an Indonesian football stadium.

The tragedy on Saturday night in the eastern city of Malang was one of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium disasters.

Police in East Java province said thousands of fans of Arema FC stormed the pitch at Kanjuruhan Stadium after their team lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya. Officers tried to control the “riots” by firing tear gas, triggering a stampede as panicked fans rushed to an exit gate.

Some suffocated in the chaos while others were trampled to death. At least 34 people, including two police officers, died at the stadium.

The death toll was revised down to 125, according to East Java Vice Governor Emil Dardak, who said that some names were recorded twice. Earlier officials had put the figure as high as 174.