Indonesia’s fatal soccer stampede causes revealed

A fact-finding team tasked with investigating a deadly soccer stampede in Indonesia has concluded that tear gas was the main cause of death, Reuters reported on Friday.

The team, which included government officials, and soccer and security experts, has been investigating how more than 130 people died in a crash after a match at Kanjuruhan stadium in East Java on 1 October.

THOROUGH SOCCER STAMPEDE INVESTIGATIONS

Coordinating Security Minister Mahfud MD said a separate team was still investigating the toxicity of the gas used, but that whatever the result. It could not diminish the conclusion that the massive deaths were mainly caused by tear gas.

Indonesian authorities and the Indonesian football Association (PSSI) have faced mounting questions and criticism over why police fired tear gas inside the stadium. A crowd control measure banned by the world soccer governing body FIFA.

The fact-finding team found the police personnel on duty had no knowledge of the prohibition of tear gas at soccer matches. The tear gas had been fired indiscriminately, and the officers had employed excessive measures.

The police have sought to play down their role in the tragedy, emphasising that narrow doors in the over-capacity stadium exacerbated the crash.

The police and military are investigating dozens of their officers in relation to the incident.

WHAT TRIGGERED FANS

At least 125 people died in the soccer stampede after tear gas fired by police sparked panic among fans rioting after a soccer match in Indonesia in one of the worst sporting tragedies in the world.

Hosts Arema FC lost to visiting side Persebaya FC 3-2, with thousands of angry supporters throwing bottles and other objects at players and soccer officials.

Witnesses said fans flooded the Kanjuruhan Stadium field and demanded that Arema management explain why, after 23 years of undefeated home matches against rival Persebaya, this one ended in a loss.