The president of the Indonesian soccer club Arema FC, in whose stadium 125 people died on Saturday, apologized on Monday and assured that he is “cooperating and supporting” the investigation of the tragic event.
“We hope to find the root of the problem,” said Gilang Widya Pramana, in brief statements to Kompas TV, guaranteeing that the club “will financially compensate the families of the victims and injured.”
The tragedy occurred after some 3,000 Arema FC fans invaded the field of play after the defeat against rival Persebaya Surabaya (2-3) and clashed with security forces, who in turn used tear gas.
According to East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta, most of the deaths were caused by stampeding fans, many of whom suffocated as they tried to leave the stadium. Many of the people were trampled to death in the chaos of the stampede.
In the riots, which spread outside the stadium, at least two policemen were killed. The Indonesian soccer league has been suspended and authorities have ordered an investigation into the incidents.
Police were “on duty” and were in charge of “operating the shotguns” to fire gas canisters, police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told a news conference after initial internal investigations into the incident.
The official also indicated that the images captured by more than 30 security cameras near the stadium are being viewed to identify those suspected of “destroying property inside or outside” the sports venue.
According to official figures – which were revised on Sunday after a series of miscalculations – 125 people died, including 32 children, and 323 were injured of varying degrees, in one of the greatest tragedies in the history of world football.
The use of tear gas against fans, prohibited inside the stadiums by the rules of FIFA – the highest body in world football – has been criticized by organizations that guarantee human rights, such as Amnesty International and the Human Rights Organization.
Source: TSF
