Thirty-two children are among the 125 dead in the deadly stampede that took place this weekend in a stadium in Indonesia, authorities said on Monday, who announced the first sanctions after this tragedy, one of the worst in the history of the soccer. The deadly crowd movement also injured more than 300 people, some of whom are between life and death in hospitals in the city of Malang, in the east of the island of Java.
“According to the latest data we have, out of 125 people who have died, 32 are children, the youngest of whom is two or three years old,” Nahar, an official with the Ministry of Women and Protection, told AFP. from childhood. In the face of public anger, the first sanctions fell on Monday with the dismissal of Malang city police chief Ferli Hidayat and the suspension of nine police officers, according to national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo.
42,000 spectators present
Security Minister Mahfud MD earlier called on Indonesian police to “identify” those who “perpetrated the crimes” and crack down. Saturday night’s drama at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang took place when fans of local side Arema FC entered the pitch after their side lost 3-2 to neighboring Persebaya Surabaya.
The police responded by firing volleys of tear gas into the crowded stands of the stadium, full with 42,000 spectators present, according to the authorities. Onlookers then rushed en masse to narrow doorways where many were trampled on and choked, witnesses said.
Analysis of CCTV cameras
A witness assured that the police refused to intervene at the time of the fatal crowd movement. “The place looked like a big cemetery. Women and children were piled on top of each other,” Eko Prianto, 39, told AFP. “I rushed to the police and soldiers to help. There was no rescuer in sight. The police did not help and a soldier threatened to beat me.”
National police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said investigators were analyzing CCTV footage from the stadium to identify “suspects who carried out destruction”. They also questioned 28 police officers, in particular about the use of tear gas canisters on the site.
Arema FC president apologizes
On television, the president of the Malang football club apologized in tears on Monday. “As president of the Arema FC club, I take full responsibility for the incidents that have occurred. I offer my deepest apologies to the victims, their families, the Indonesians and La Liga 1”, the local first division , said Gilang Widya Pramana.
His team visited the site of the tragedy on Monday dressed in black T-shirts to pay their respects to the victims and lay flowers, before gathering on the ground for prayers. Fan violence has been a long-standing problem in Indonesia, where club rivalries have often resulted in deadly clashes. For the game on Saturday, Persebaya Surabaya fans were not allowed to buy tickets for fear of incidents.