JAKARTA: A football stampede in Indonesia that killed more than 130 people on October 1st was caused by tear gas, the country’s security minister has said.
This was revealed after a team of government officials, and football and security experts conducted a probe to find the actual reason of the disaster.
The findings, detailed in a 124-page list of recommendations, have been handed to Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo.
Coordinating Security Minister Mahfud MD on Friday said footage from 32 security cameras revealed that what actually happened at the stadium was more horrific than previously thought.
The investigation team also found that the police personnel on duty had no knowledge of the prohibition of tear gas, which it said was fired “indiscriminately” as officers adopted “excessive” measures.
An investigation is still underway to find out the toxicity of the chemical compound used.
Investigators concluded that the Indonesian football association (PSSI) had been negligent by ignoring regulations and called for the resignation of its chairman and executive committee.
On October 1st, in one of the worst sports disasters in history, over 130 people were killed as they rushed to exit the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesian province of East Java.
