MALANG, Indonesia – An Indonesian human rights official said only two exits were open at Kanjuruhan Stadium, where police fired tear gas at bleachers containing thousands of people, adding that the use of tear gas appeared to play a key role in the crash. fugitives who killed up to 125 people.
Mohammad Choirul Anam, a member of the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission, said his organization would investigate the disaster and the role of the police. Police said supporters attacked officers and the use of force was necessary. The government appointed an independent commission to investigate the deaths on Monday.
“According to the videos that circulated, there were violent actions,” Mr Anam said. “Not only the use of tear gas, but also the use of force. We want to investigate why this happened.
He said an initial review suggested tear gas played a major role in the disaster. If it had not been used, “it is possible that there was no stampede”.
Human rights investigators will also examine the design of the stadium, where the victims were found and the type of injuries they suffered, Mr Anam said.
The disaster unfolded after a game in which Arema Football Club lost to Persebaya Surabaya for the first time in over 20 years.
The president of Arema apologized for the disaster on Monday.
“Honestly, we are very shocked, we are devastated,” said club president Gilang Widya Pramana, gasping as his eyes filled with tears. “We are at a loss for words on how this could have claimed so many lives.”
Mr Pramana said he had apologized to the victims and their families, the football league, the police, the people of Indonesia and the country’s president, Joko Widodo. He said the club intended to compensate the victims and their families.
He described Saturday’s carnage as unexpected, noting that there were no fans visiting the stadium to face Arema supporters. After Arema’s loss on Saturday, some of the home side’s supporters rushed onto the pitch. Police fired tear gas and beat fans with batons, witnesses said, pushing them into narrow exit lanes where they crashed into each other.
“They are good supporters,” Mr Pramana said. “But that night, I didn’t expect that to happen.”
Sudarmaji, a spokesperson for Arema, denied reports that tickets for the match were oversold, increasing the security risk at the stadium. Mr Sudarmaji, who goes by a name, declined to answer questions about witness statements that exits were closed as crowds tried to escape tear gas.
Mr Pramana said many Arema players helped the injured and their dressing room was later used to hold the bodies of those who died. “They are very shocked and sad,” he added.