A football match in Indonesia turned into the world’s one of the deadliest stampedes on Saturday. At least 125 people were killed including 17 children and more than 300 have been injured during an Indonesian league soccer match in the city of Malang in East Java.
According to the police statement, it all started with the confrontation in the stands between supporters of Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya (two of Indonesia’s biggest soccer teams) after home team Arema FC was defeated 3-2 at a match. The supporters from both the teams “invaded” the pitch and the police fired tear gas, which set off the fan crush and cases of suffocation.
This is one of the world’s deadliest sports stampedes. Here’s a look at other sports tragedies:
Port Said Stadium Riots 2012: On February 2, 2012, a massive riot broke out between the fans of Al-Masry and Al-Ahly during the Egyptian Premier Football League in Port Said Stadium. Thousands of fans of Al-Masry attacked the supporters of Ahly, in many cases with weapons. The clashes killed 74 people and 500 were injured.
Accra Sports Stadium Disaster 2001: During the match between Ghana’s Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club and Asante Kotoko a stampede took place to control the disappointed Kotoko fans (losing team) the police fired tear gas at the rioting fans which led to the death of 127 people.
Lima football disaster 1964: The Lima Football disaster is considered the world’s worst sports disaster. A violent clash erupted during a football match between Peru and Argentina as Peru fans invaded the pitch to protest against the referee’s call, the police retaliated by manhandling the invaders. The clashes killed 328 people and around 500 were injured.
Luzhniki Disaster 1982: It happened in the Central Lenin Stadium in Moscow during a 1982/83 UEFA Cup match between FC Spart FC Spartak Moscow and HFC Haarlem on 20 October 1982. It took the life of 66 people. However, the actual number of casualties is not known as the Russian media tried to cover up the actual number of deaths. The disaster is often known as football’s Chornobyl.
Guatemala stadium disaster, 1996: In the world cup qualifier match between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City. Just one hour before the match was about to start a stampede broke out killing 82 fans and injuring around 147.
The Hillsborough disaster, 1989: It happened during the FA Cup semi-finals between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. Due to overcrowding 97 were killed and 700 were injured.
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