Status: 03.10.2022 09:17 am
After the mass panic in Malang, Indonesia, which left at least 125 dead, the government deployed a team of experts to investigate. Government officials, representatives of the football association and journalists are also present.
After the deadly mass panic in a soccer stadium, Indonesia’s government deployed an independent team of experts to clarify the background. This became known after a special government meeting with high-ranking security officials.
Government officials, journalists and association representatives
According to Security Minister Mohammad Mahfud, the so-called Joint Independent Fact Finding Team consists of government officials, representatives of the football association, experts and journalists. Mahfud also said the team is expected to complete its work in two to three weeks.
The government has also instructed the national police to investigate people who could be responsible for the tragedy “in the coming days,” the security minister said.
FIFA rules prohibit the use of tear gas
Pressure comes from human rights activists, among others. This called for an in-depth investigation. Both police commanders and civil servants must be held accountable for deciding to release “significant and excessive amounts of tear gas,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. He also stressed that FIFA’s own rules prohibit the use of crowd control gas in stadiums.
But Indonesia is also under pressure to solve the tragedy for another reason: the country is set to host next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup. The island nation has also applied for the 2023 Asian Soccer Championship.
People carry an injured person out of Kanjuruhan Stadium.
Image: via REUTERS
People are said to have died from lack of oxygen
Riots broke out on Saturday evening after Arema FC and Persebaya FC’s first division match in Malang, East Java province. Following Arema’s 3-2 home defeat, around 3,000 spectators stormed the pitch at Kanjuruhan Stadium. The police used tear gas. A mass panic ensued – for many there was no escape.
One of the worst stadium disasters in football history
Many of the victims are said to have died from a lack of oxygen, while others were apparently trampled to death. According to the authorities, more than 300 people were injured, some seriously.
This makes the incident one of the worst stadium disasters in football history.