Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Authorities reported on Sunday that a stampede at an Indonesian soccer stadium killed 125 people and injured more than 320 others after police fired tear gas to suppress a pitch invasion, in one of the world's deadliest stadium tragedies. Officers used tear gas to disperse agitated supporters of the losing home team who had invaded the pitch after the final whistle in Malang, East Java, on Saturday night, according to the region's police commander Nico Afinta. "It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers; they damaged cars," Nico said, adding that the crash occurred when fans fled for an exit gate. FIFA's safety regulations state that no guns or "crowd control gas" should be carried or utilized by stewards or police officers. The stadium collapse appeared to be the worst in decades. Wiyanto Wijoyo, the chief of Malang's health agency, estimated 125 deaths and 323 injuries. Many victims at the neighboring Kanjuruhan hospital suffered from trauma, shortness of breath, and a lack of oxygen, according to hospital head Bobi Prabowo. According to Bobi, some victims suffered brain injuries, and one of the fatalities was a 5-year-old child. President Joko Widodo said authorities must properly assess match security and hoped this would be "the last soccer tragedy in the nation." BKM/ Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page