Death toll in Indonesian football stampede reaches 125 - deputy governor

Supporters from the losing team invaded the pitch and police had fired tear gas, triggering a stampede and cases of suffocation.

 A damaged car is pictured following a riot after the league BRI Liga 1 football match between Arema vs Persebaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, East Java province, Indonesia, October 2, 2022. (photo credit: ANTARA FOTO/ H PRAWOBO/VIA REUTERS)
A damaged car is pictured following a riot after the league BRI Liga 1 football match between Arema vs Persebaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, East Java province, Indonesia, October 2, 2022.
(photo credit: ANTARA FOTO/ H PRAWOBO/VIA REUTERS)

More than 320 people were injured and 125 killed in a deadly soccer stampede in Indonesia's East Java at the weekend, a police official said on Sunday.

East Java police spokesman Dirmanto said the number of people injured now stood at 323, up from an earlier count of 180. Authorities have also confirmed a total 125 fatalities.

After the match in East Java province between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya ended on Saturday night, supporters from the losing team invaded the pitch and police fired tear gas, triggering a stampede and cases of suffocation, East Java police chief Nico Afinta told reporters.

Video footage from local news channels showed people rushing onto the pitch in the stadium in Malang and images of body bags.

There have been previous outbreaks of trouble at matches in Indonesia, with a strong rivalry between clubs sometimes leading to violence among supporters.

Zainudin Amali, Indonesia's sports minister, told KompasTV the ministry would re-evaluate safety at football matches, including considering not allowing spectators in stadiums.

Malaysia v Indonesia - World Cup 2022 Qualifier, Second Round Group G and Asian Cup 2023 Qualifier Preliminary Round 2 Group G - Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - November 19, 2019 General view as fans light a flare in the stands. (credit: REUTERS/LIM HUEY TENG)
Malaysia v Indonesia - World Cup 2022 Qualifier, Second Round Group G and Asian Cup 2023 Qualifier Preliminary Round 2 Group G - Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - November 19, 2019 General view as fans light a flare in the stands. (credit: REUTERS/LIM HUEY TENG)

The Indonesian top league BRI Liga 1 has suspended games for a week following the match that Persebaya won 3-2 and an investigation had been launched, the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said.

Among global stadium disasters, 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death in Britain in April 1989, when an overcrowded and fenced-in enclosure collapsed at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.

Indonesia is to host the FIFA under-20 World Cup in May and June next year. They are also one of three countries bidding to stage next year's Asian Cup, the continent's equivalent of the Euros, after China pulled out as hosts.