After the deadly mass panic in a soccer stadium, Indonesia deployed an independent team of experts to clarify the background. This was announced on Monday after a special government meeting with senior security officials.
The tragedy in the city of Malang, which left at least 125 dead, is one of the worst stadium disasters in football history. The Joint Independent Fact Finding Team will be made up of government officials, football association officials, experts, academics and journalists, said Security Minister Mohammad Mahfud.
“The team is expected to complete its work in two or three weeks,” Mahfud said. The government has also instructed the national police to investigate “in the next few days” against people who could be responsible for the tragedy.
Riots broke out on Saturday evening after Arema FC and Persebaya FC’s first division game in East Java province. Following Arema’s 2-3 home defeat, thousands of fans stormed the pitch of Kanjuruhan Stadium. The police used tear gas. A mass panic ensued. Many victims are said to have died from a lack of oxygen.
