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Indonesia football disaster: More than 100 dead after riot, stampede

Indonesia soccer riot

TOPSHOT - This picture taken on October 1, 2022 shows security personnel (lower) on the pitch after a football match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java. - At least 127 people died at a football stadium in Indonesia late on October 1 when fans invaded the pitch and police responded with tear gas, triggering a stampede, officials said. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Over 100 people are dead following a riot at a Liga1 match between Arema and Persebaya Surabaya in Indonesia.

Home side Arema lost 3-2 to Persebaya, its first home derby loss in over two decades. The intensity of the rivalry had already led to away fans being banned from attending the derby in Malang, East Java.

The death toll was initially reported as high as 174 but has been revised to 125.

Reports say the majority of the fans were trampled to death after police fired tear gas as some fans fired bottles and other items at players and officials.

FIFA does not allow the use of tear gas at football matches. According to Sky Sports:

Hooliganism is rife in football-obsessed Indonesia where fanaticism often ends in violence, highlighted by the 2018 death of a Persija Jakarta supporter who was killed by a mob of hardcore fans from rival club Persib Bandung.

More on this story as it develops.

Follow @NicholasMendola