By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 3: A total of 125 football spectators were confirmed dead following the Kanjuruhan Stadium disaster in Indonesia last Saturday (Oct 1).
Meanwhile, 21 suffered serious injuries and 302 suffered minor injuries, resulting the total number of riot victims to stand at 448.
This data was announced by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Prof Dr Muhadjir Effendy, during a press conference held in Kepanjen, Malang, East Java and reported by the Indonesian media yesterday (Oct 2).
The tragedy occured after thousands of supporters rushed onto the football pitch after their home team Arema FC was defeated 3-2 at a match against Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang.
The police responded by firing tear gas, triggering a stampede following the crowds rushing for the narrow exits.
The incident is the deadliest football-related disaster in Asia, as well as the third-deadliest worldwide after the 1964 Estadio Nacional disaster in Peru which killed 328 people and the 2001 Accra Sports Stadium disaster in Ghana which killed 126 people.
Indonesian president Joko Widodo in his Facebook post yesterday (Oct 2) expressed deep sorrow over the social disaster and ordered the suspension of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Football League until “all evaluation of improvement of security procedures” is carried out. — DayakDaily
