Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Oct 2:The death toll from panic at an Indonesian soccer match has risen to 17, most of them trampled to death as police fired tear gas to quell unrest, making it one of the deadliest sporting events in the world. A clash broke out between supporters of Javanese clubs Arema and Persebaya Surabaya after the former lost a match in Malang Regency, East Java.
“We have already done a preventive action before finally firing the tear gas as (fans) began to attack the police, acting anarchically and burning vehicles,” said East Java Police chief Nico Afinta early Sunday.
According to the reports, the fight started when thousands of Arema fans rushed the pitch after their team lost. Supporters of the Arema team invaded the field and police had to fire tear gas, causing a storm and suffocation, East Java police chief Nico Afinta told reporters.
Video footage posted on social media showed people rushing onto the pitch at Malang Stadium and images of body bags.
