Indonesian football match stampede death toll hits 174, with fears it will rise further

The death toll from panic at an Indonesian football match on Saturday has risen to 174, most of whom were trampled to death after police fired tear gas to dispel riots, making it one of the deadliest sports events in the world.

Clashes broke out after the game ended with hosts Arema FC of East Java’s Malang city losing to Persebaya Surabaya FC 3-2.

Disappointed after their team’s loss, thousands of Arema supporters, known as “Aremania”, reacted by throwing bottles and other objects at players and football officials.

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Fans flooded the Kanjuruhan Stadium pitch in protest and demanded that Arema management explain why, after 23 years of undefeated home games, this match ended in a loss, witnesses said.

The rioting spread outside the stadium where at least five police vehicles were overturned and set on fire amid the chaos.

Riot officers responded by firing tear gas, including towards the stadium’s stands, causing panic among the crowd. Tear gas is banned at football stadiums by Fifa.

Some people suffocated and others were trampled as hundreds ran to the exit in an effort to avoid the tear gas. In the chaos, 34 died at the stadium, including two officers, and some reports included children among the casualties.

East Java police chief Nico Afinta said in a news conference early on Sunday: “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.”

More than 300 people were rushed to nearby hospitals but many died on the way and during treatment, Mr Afinta said.

He said the death toll is likely to