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Indonesian president orders probe into deadly football stampede
Updated 15:55, 02-Oct-2022
CGTN
A view inside Kanjuruhan Stadium after the game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, October 1, 2022. /CFP
A view inside Kanjuruhan Stadium after the game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, October 1, 2022. /CFP

A view inside Kanjuruhan Stadium after the game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, October 1, 2022. /CFP

Indonesian President Joko Widodo Sunday ordered authorities to thoroughly re-evaluate security at football matches, after a stampede and clashes at a stadium in East Java Province killed at least 174 people.

The stampede happened after Arema FC lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya in a home game on Saturday night, with supporters of the losing team storming onto the pitch. According to a police statement, some 3,000 fans rushed onto the pitch as tension escalated, and ran to exits after tear gas was used.

There were 42,000 tickets sold for the match, exceeding the stadium's 38,000 capacity. 

In a televised statement, Widodo said the country's sports and youth minister, national police chief and Indonesian football association chief were ordered "to conduct a thorough evaluation of football matches and the security procedures."

According to Widodo, the country's top league BRI Liga 1 would be suspended until the investigation is concluded, as he called for this to be "the nation's last football tragedy."

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa announced that the families of the victims will receive 15 million rupiah ($980) in compensation, composed of 10 million rupiah from the provincial government and 5 million rupiah from the local regency.

"This is part of our empathy to the families of the victims," she said.

Zainudin Amali, Indonesia's sports minister, called for a full investigation after the incident and said authorities would re-evaluate safety at football matches, possibly not allowing spectators. 

Yunus Nusi, secretary general of Indonesia's football association (PSSI), said that FIFA had requested a report on the deadly incident that occurred in the Javanese city of Malang and a PSSI team had been sent to the site to investigate. 

Indonesia is scheduled to host the FIFA under-20 World Cup in May and June next year. 

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Death toll rises to 174 in Indonesian football stampede 

(With input from Reuters)

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