MALANG, Indonesia — 129 people, most of whom were trampled to death, were killed at an Indonesian football match in panic after police fired tear gas to stop the brawl, Indonesian police said.
Persebaya Surabaya defeated Arema Malang 3-2 after several fights broke out at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java, after the Indonesian Super League match ended, according to reports.
East Java police chief Nico Afinta said the brawl that broke out after the game late Saturday night prompted riot police to fire tear gas, causing panic among supporters.
Hundreds of people ran to the exit gate to avoid tear gas. Some were suffocated while others were trampled in the chaos, killing 34 people almost immediately.
More than 300 people were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, but many died en route and during treatment, Afinta said.
He added that the death toll may still be rising as the condition of many of the approximately 180 injured victims is deteriorating.