According to Wiyanto Wijoyo, the head of Malang’s health agency, the final death toll was 125 with 323 people being injured during the stampede. Many went to a nearby hospital where they suffered from shortness of breath, extreme trauma, and lack of oxygen. Some even had brain injuries.

Many people say the release of the tear gas is what caused the violent stampede. Although mayhem began after the game ended, the gas caused eventgoers to panic and rush toward the exits. Muhammad Rian Dwicahyono broke his arm during the stampede and blames the loss of lives on the police.

“Many of our friends lost their lives because of the officers who dehumanized us,” he said. “Many lives have been wasted.”

World soccer governing association FIFA has strict safety regulations against expressing that firearms and crowd control methods like tear gas are not to be used or carried by officers working soccer games. East Java police officials have yet to disclose if they were aware of the regulations.

stadium stampede — Photo Courtesy of Tembela Bohle.

According to Kanjuruhan hospital head Bobi Prabowo, the youngest victim in the stampede was a 5-year-old child. Two teenage brothers who were attending their first soccer match were also killed in the charge. Their family couldn’t believe how a joyous occasion turned into a nightmare.

“My family and I didn’t think it would turn out like this,” said their relative Endah Wahyuni.

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