Indonesian football is in mourning after a derby game between Persebaya Surabaya and Arema FC ended in a riot that saw at least 127 people killed and 180 wounded, according to local police reports.
Away team Persebaya Surabaya won the match 3-2 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in a game between two teams in the middle of the league standings.
At the end of the game, fans invaded the pitch with police and stadium security unleasing tear gas in an attempt to stop them.
Vision captured from the stands shows how quickly the situation descended into chaos as fans and police clashed.
WATCH: Rioting, police violence and tear gas at Indonesian football stadium. At least 129 people killed pic.twitter.com/M2bx0sdN6v
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 1, 2022
BREAKING: At least 127 people killed, 180 injured in riot at football stadium in Indonesia, police say pic.twitter.com/WmuI67yJoi
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 1, 2022
According to reports, the situation was made worse by the tear gas which failed to disperse properly, causing people to faint and become trapped as other fans rushed to leave the stadium.
Liga 1 was suspended for at least a week following the tragedy and the Indonesian Football Federation announced that Arema FC will not play games at its stadium again for the remainder of the season.
“The Federation (PSSI) regrets the actions of the Arema fans at the Kanjuruhan Stadium. We regret what happened and apologize to the families of the victims and all those involved in the incident. We formed an investigation team that was immediately to the city ,” a statement from Mochamad Iriawan, the president of the Indonesian Federation, read.
Persebaya also released a tweet to express their grief at the situation: “The great family of Persebaya expresses its deepest condolences for the loss of life after the game of Arema FC vs. Persebaya. No life is worth more than football. We pray for the victims and hope that their families have strength.”
Arema FC are yet to release any statements about what happened.
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