129 people killed in a deadly stampede in Indonesia after a football match

At least 129 people were killed and 180 others injured after a stampede and clashes at a football match in Indonesia's Malang, East Java province, Indonesian Police said on Sunday.

Provincial Police Chief Nico Afinta said at a press conference that the chaos happened on late Saturday evening at the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang regency right after Arema Malang club lost to Persebaya Surabaya in the Indonesian Liga 1 football contest, Xinhua news agency reported.

Two policemen were among the deceased persons in the incident, he added. Afinta said that preliminary findings showed that most of the deaths were due to the stampede, while other people may have died because of breathing difficulties.

According to the police official, a large number of supporters of the losing team refused to accept the defeat of the game and climbed over the fence and entered the football pitch, resulting in clashes with the Police and a stampede.

According to local media reports, supporters of both football teams brawled and fought inside the stadium, and riot police fired tear gas at them, which caused panic among the crowds. People scrambled to leave the stadium, leading to a stampede at an exit.

Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali apologized for the incident and said authorities will investigate the clashes and reassess the organizers' management and security measures at the Indonesian football tournament. (KB/IANS)