Storm and police action: 174 dead in mass panic in Indonesia

It is one of the worst disasters in football history: 174 people died in a mass panic in an Indonesian stadium. More than 100 were injured. President Widodo announced an investigation.

Following the 3-2 defeat by Persebaya Surabaya, thousands of football fans of the defeated Arema FC stormed the pitch. Security forces used batons and tear gas against the rampaging fans. Video footage on social media showed plumes of white smoke on the square and in the stands.

“It was the feeling of disappointment that made the fans go onto the field and ask the players why they lost the game,” East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta told a news conference. “That’s when the security team came in to prevent them from entering the field or interacting with the players. Tear gas was used as part of the preventive measures because of the anarchy that had broken out.” Then fans started attacking officials and damaging cars.

Lack of oxygen in the crowd

The use of tear gas triggered a mass panic in the stadium. Afinta described the events like this: “After the police used the tear gas, they all ran in the same direction, towards exits 10 and 12, which caused a massive traffic jam. During the traffic jam, they became short of breath because they ran out of oxygen.” The world football association FIFA prohibits the use of tear gas.

Stadium is said to have been overcrowded

According to the police chief, 34 people died in the stadium. The others in the hospital or on the way there. Two police officers were among the dead. Many of the injured would continue to be treated in the hospital, their condition is critical.

According to the Indonesian security minister, the stadium was also overcrowded. 38,000 people were officially admitted, but 4,000 more tickets were sold.

Games suspended

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said it had launched an investigation. President Joko Widodo ordered all Premier League games to be halted until this investigation is complete. In a press statement, he expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the dead.

Widodo said: “I regret this tragedy and hope this will be the last tragedy in Indonesian football. There must be no more of this in the future. Sportsmanship, humanity and brotherhood in the nation should be upheld together.”

The Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya football clubs also expressed their condolences to the victims and their families. Arema FC, whose fans stormed the field, will set up a crisis center and a victim information point.

Memories of 1964

Violence is common at football matches in Indonesia. Some teams have fan clubs that are specifically looking for escalation and drive to games all over Indonesia with violent supporters.

The stampede at the stadium in East Java, Indonesia, is arguably the deadliest since 1964, when 320 people died in a stampede in Lima during an Olympic qualifier between Peru and Argentina.