Indonesia Investigates Tear Gas Firing at Soccer Game
2022-10-04
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1Indonesian officials have removed police officers and investigated others responsible for firing tear gas that set off a crush, killing at least 125 people at a soccer game.
2The victims included 17 children.
3The game took place in the Southeast Asian country's Malang city.
4It was attended only by hometown Arema FC fans.
5The organizer had banned supporters of the visiting team Persebaya Surabaya because of Indonesia's history of violent soccer rivalries.
6Witnesses said fans ran onto the field after Arema lost the game 3-2.
7They were angry that the team had its first loss at home against Persebaya after 23 years.
8Some of the 42,000 Arema fans threw bottles and other objects at players and soccer officials.
9At least five police vehicles were turned over and set on fire outside the stadium.
10But most of the deaths happened when riot police, trying to stop the violence, fired tear gas, including toward the seats inside the stadium.
11That set off the disastrous crush of fans trying to flee.
12Most of the 125 people who died were trampled upon or died because they could not breathe.
13Two police officers were among the dead.
14Overall, 323 people were injured in the crush, some of them still in serious condition.
15A National Police spokesman said the Malang police chief had been removed along with nine officers.
16He said 18 officers responsible for firing tear gas were being investigated.
17Police are still questioning witnesses and looking at videos from 32 security cameras inside and outside the stadium.
18They are also looking at mobile phones owned by the victims to identify suspected vandals.
19On Monday, Arema players and officials laid flowers for the victims in front of the stadium.
20Head coach Javier Roca said, "We came here as a team asking forgiveness from the families impacted by this tragedy, those who lost their loves ones or the ones still being treated in the hospital."
21And the team president said he is ready to take full responsibility for the tragedy.
22Indonesia's President Joko Widodo ordered the soccer organization suspended until safety is looked at and security is increased.
23Indonesia's soccer group has also banned Arema from holding games at its stadium for the rest of the season.
24Rights group Amnesty International is pushing Indonesia to investigate the use of tear gas and ensure that those found responsible are tried in open court.
25The international soccer group FIFA has advised against the use of tear gas at soccer stadiums.
26Saturday's game was among the world's worst crowd disasters at sporting events.
27In 1996, over 80 died and more than 100 were injured at a World Cup qualifier between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City.
28More than 40 people were crushed to death during a soccer match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 2001.
29In February 2012, 74 people were killed and more than 500 injured after a match between rivals al-Masry and al-Ahly when thousands of al-Masry fans invaded the field and attacked visiting supporters.
30The Egyptian soccer organization was suspended for two years as a result.
31I'm Andrew Smith.
1Indonesian officials have removed police officers and investigated others responsible for firing tear gas that set off a crush, killing at least 125 people at a soccer game. The victims included 17 children. 2The game took place in the Southeast Asian country's Malang city. It was attended only by hometown Arema FC fans. The organizer had banned supporters of the visiting team Persebaya Surabaya because of Indonesia's history of violent soccer rivalries. 3Witnesses said fans ran onto the field after Arema lost the game 3-2. They were angry that the team had its first loss at home against Persebaya after 23 years. Some of the 42,000 Arema fans threw bottles and other objects at players and soccer officials. At least five police vehicles were turned over and set on fire outside the stadium. 4But most of the deaths happened when riot police, trying to stop the violence, fired tear gas, including toward the seats inside the stadium. That set off the disastrous crush of fans trying to flee. Most of the 125 people who died were trampled upon or died because they could not breathe. Two police officers were among the dead. Overall, 323 people were injured in the crush, some of them still in serious condition. 5A National Police spokesman said the Malang police chief had been removed along with nine officers. He said 18 officers responsible for firing tear gas were being investigated. 6Police are still questioning witnesses and looking at videos from 32 security cameras inside and outside the stadium. They are also looking at mobile phones owned by the victims to identify suspected vandals. 7On Monday, Arema players and officials laid flowers for the victims in front of the stadium. Head coach Javier Roca said, "We came here as a team asking forgiveness from the families impacted by this tragedy, those who lost their loves ones or the ones still being treated in the hospital." And the team president said he is ready to take full responsibility for the tragedy. 8Indonesia's President Joko Widodo ordered the soccer organization suspended until safety is looked at and security is increased. Indonesia's soccer group has also banned Arema from holding games at its stadium for the rest of the season. 9Rights group Amnesty International is pushing Indonesia to investigate the use of tear gas and ensure that those found responsible are tried in open court. The international soccer group FIFA has advised against the use of tear gas at soccer stadiums. 10Saturday's game was among the world's worst crowd disasters at sporting events. In 1996, over 80 died and more than 100 were injured at a World Cup qualifier between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City. More than 40 people were crushed to death during a soccer match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 2001. 11In February 2012, 74 people were killed and more than 500 injured after a match between rivals al-Masry and al-Ahly when thousands of al-Masry fans invaded the field and attacked visiting supporters. The Egyptian soccer organization was suspended for two years as a result. 12I'm Andrew Smith. 13Agoes Basoeki and Edna Tarigan reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 14________________________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16rivalry - n. a state or situation in which people or groups are competing with each other 17stadium - n. a very large usually roofless building that has a large open area surrounded by many rows of seats and that is used for sports events or concerts. 18trample - v. to cause damage or pain by walking or stepping heavily on something or someone 19vandal - n. a person who deliberately destroys or damages property 20coach - n. a person who teaches and trains an athlete or performer 21impact - v. to have a strong and often bad effect on (something or someone) 22________________________________________________________________________ 23What do you think of the use of tear gas? 24We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 25Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.