It is a "classico" that has turned tragic.
At least 127 people died on Saturday night in Indonesia as a result of a crowd commotion sparked by angry fans storming a soccer field after a match and the firing of tear gas by law enforcement, it said. the police.
Fans of the Arema FC team entered the pitch at the Kanjuruhan stadium in the eastern city of Malang after their team lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya.
It was the first time in more than twenty years that Arema FC had lost to their great rival.
Police, who called the event a "riot", tried to persuade fans to return to the stands and fired tear gas after two officers were killed.
Many victims were trampled to death.
People "were breathless, lack of oxygen"
"Thirty-four people died inside the stadium and the rest died in hospital," said local police chief Nico Afinta.
“At one point, they headed for the exit.
But there was a build-up (of people) and in that process of build-up (people) got gasped, lack of oxygen,” he explained.
The Indonesian government apologized for this tragedy and promised to investigate the circumstances of this crowd movement.
“We are sorry for this incident (…) It is a regrettable incident which 'hurts' our football at a time when fans can watch a match in a stadium,” said Minister of Sports and Youth Zainudin Amali. at the Kompas channel.
“Will we ban the presence of supporters at matches again?
We will discuss it,” he added.
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