At least 129 people have died after police fired tear gas to disperse rioting fans in Indonesia’s East Java province.
Most of the victims died from a lack of oxygen during a stampede after fans invaded the pitch in the Kanjuruhan stadium on Saturday night as hosts Arema Malang lost 3-2 to rival East Java club Persebaya Surabaya.
“We regret and deplore the tragedy,” provincial police chief Nico Afinta told a news conference on Sunday.
Given the fierce rivalry between the two sets of supporters, police “had suggested that the match be attended by Arema fans only”, he said.
Afinta said two police officers were among the dead.
Malang health chief Widjanto Widjoyo put the death toll at 129, based on information collected from hospitals in the city. (AAP)
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