Indonesia mourns loss of 125 as country opens investigation into crowd crush

October 3 - The entire global football community is seizing the horror of one of the sport's deadliest disasters after at least 125 people, including 32 children, are believed to have died in a crush during a an Indonesian national game.

Hundreds of people were also injured following Arema FC's loss to bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya in a crowded stadium on Saturday night in Malang, East Java.

The thunderbolt came after police fired tear gas at some 3,000 fans who stormed the pitch, according to reports. As panic spread, thousands rushed to the stadium exits, where many suffocated.

Police, who described the unrest as "riots", said they tried to force fans back into the stands, but many victims were trampled on or choked to death.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has ordered an immediate independent investigation into the tragedy, a security review of all football matches and ordered the country's football association to suspend all matches until "security enhancements" are complete.

Footage taken from inside the stadium during the stampede showed police firing huge amounts of tear gas and people climbing over the fences.

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into why tear gas was deployed in a confined space, saying it should only be used 'when other methods have failed'.

Persebaya Surabaya fans were not allowed to purchase tickets for the match due to fears of violence, but were reportedly in attendance. Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said organizers ignored a recommendation to print fewer tickets and hold the match in the afternoon instead of the evening.

In Jakarta, as many as 300 football fans, some known as diehard 'ultras', gathered for a candlelight vigil outside Gelora Bung Karno stadium, the largest in Indonesia . Some chanted "Murderer!" and set off firecrackers.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the stampede as "an incomprehensible tragedy".

Manchester United and Barcelona posted tributes online while Spanish football clubs were required to observe a minute's silence ahead of Sunday's games as a mark of respect. The German FA and Italian Serie A also tweeted their condolences.

A tearful Arema FC president Gilang Widya Pramana apologized to the victims of the stampede and said he took full responsibility. "Lives are more precious than football," he said.

And in a speech on Sunday, Pope Francis said he prayed for those who lost their lives and for those injured in the disaster.

Indonesia is due to host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in May and is also offering to replace China as hosts of the 2023 Asian Cup alongside South Korea and Japan. Qatar, with a decision expected this month. But all of that could now be in danger.

According to FIFA rules, no "crowd control gas" may be carried or used by stewards or police at matches.

"If it hadn't been for tear gas, there might not have been any chaos," said Choirul Anam, commissioner at the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission, known under the name of Komnas Ham, during a briefing at the stadium.

But East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta has defended its use.

"We already took pre-emptive action before finally firing tear gas as (fans) started attacking police, acting haphazardly and setting vehicles on fire," he said during a press conference.

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