Indonesian football match death toll hits 174 as fans killed in 'stampede'
dailyrecord.co.ukAt least 174 people have been killed in a stampede at an Indonesian football match, making it one of the deadliest incidents at a sporting event in the world.
Fans were trampled to death amid the chaos of police firing tear gas to dispel riots at the end of a match between Arema FC of East Java's Malang city who lost to Persebaya Surabaya FC 3-2.
Disappointed after their team's loss, thousands of Arema supporters, known as "Aremania", reacted by throwing bottles and other objects at players and football officials.Fans flooded the Kanjuruhan Stadium pitch in protest and demanded that Arema management explain why, after 23 years of undefeated home games, this match ended in a loss, witnesses said.The rioting spread outside the stadium where at least five police vehicles were overturned and set on fire amid the chaos.Riot officers responded by firing tear gas, including towards the stadium's stands, causing panic among the crowd.
Tear gas is banned at football stadiums by Fifa.Some people suffocated and others were trampled as hundreds ran to the exit in an effort to avoid the tear gas.
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