At least 129 people have died and over 150 others injured on Saturday October 1 evening after a stampede ensued in Indonesia.
According to a video shared online, fans invaded a football pitch after a game between Persebaya Surabaya and Arema FC in East Java province.
East Java area police described the stampede as one of the worst recorded in football history.
The stadium, with a capacity of 42,000 people, was full at the time of the stampede.
The supporters of Arema FC caused chaos after the match ended 3-2 in favor of Persebaya Surabaya which forced the police to use teargas to disperse the crowd.
Property of unknown value was also reportedly destroyed during the stampede.
Several vehicles, including a security truck, were torched as the fans demonstrated their way inside and outside the stadium.
Indonesia has previously recorded several cases of stampedes during and after derby tournaments in the country.
Indonesia’s sports minister, Zainudin Amali said the ministry was working together with the relevant authorities to ensure no such incident occurs again.
The minister further threatened to ban supporters from stadiums during big tournaments
as advised by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
“I regret this tragedy and I hope that this will be the last tragedy of soccer game in the country. Don’t let this kind of humanitarian tragedy happen again in the future,” said President Joko.
Football activities have in the meantime been suspended in Indonesia.
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