Stampede at Indonesia Soccer Match Leaves at Least 125 Dead, Police Say

A group of people carry a man after a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, on Oct. 1, 2022. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

At least 125 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured when a riot broke out at a soccer match in Indonesia and led to a crowd stampede, police said on Oct. 2.

After the game between home team Arema FC and its rival, Persebaya Surabaya, in East Java province on Oct. 1, multiple people among the crowd stormed the field, and fights broke out between the teams’ supporters. Riot police then fired tear gas, which triggered a panic, resulting in the stampede, East Java police chief Nico Afinta told reporters.

A torched car outside Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java, on Oct. 2, 2022. (Putri/AFP via Getty Images)

More than 300 people were rushed to nearby hospitals with injuries but many died in transit or while being treated, Afinta said.

The death toll was revised to 125 from 174, after authorities found some of the victims had been counted twice, National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said. More than 100 were in hospitals, including 11 in critical condition.

Video footage from local news channels showed people rushing onto the field as well as images of body bags.

On social media, footage of the stampede showed people running onto the field before scattering quickly as baton-wielding police chased them. The footage also showed smoke appearing suddenly, which also prompted people to flee.

Security personnel (lower) on the pitch at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, on Oct. 1, 2022. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

While hundreds of people ran to an exit gate to avoid the tear gas, some suffocated in the chaos and others were trampled, killing 34 almost instantly.

Zainudin Amali, Indonesia’s sports minister, told KompasTV the ministry would reevaluate safety at games, including considering not allowing spectators in stadiums.

Indonesia is scheduled to host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in May and June of 2023.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.