Fans who were trying to escape the chaos that broke out at the Indonesian Kanjuruhan Stadium last Saturday were trapped after security failed to open multiple exit gates, according to the National Football Federation, contributing to the crowd that resulted in the death of at least 131 people.

Security forces face increasing anger over their role in the disaster, amid questions about whether officers used excessive force in an attempt to disperse fans from the stadium after Arema team’s 3-2 loss to visiting Persebaya Surabaya.

The disaster, one of the worst in sports history, saw a clash between some of the 42,000 Arema club fans and the police, prompting security forces to fire tear gas into the enclosed areas of the stadium. Most of the deaths – including 33 children – are believed to have occurred when panicked fans tried to flee the suffocating gas, causing a crush at the exits.

A fan of Arema FC cries near the entrance gate of Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java. Yuliet Ivansasti / Getty Images Indonesian police have launched an investigation into the use of tear gas at the match in the city of Malang, leading to the suspension of nine officers from East Java province.

But amid allegations of mismanagement by both the police and the game organizers, survivors of the tragedy are demanding answers.

Tony Listari Widodo, a 62-year-old Arema fan, said, “We were all disappointed by the match result, but there was no sign of violence or chaos until the police started firing tear gas.”

He said this “only escalated the situation” and made things worse. The police overreacted in dealing with the situation. I really don’t understand why they did that. There was really no justification for the violence (on their part).”

“A big mistake”

Andy Harianto, 32, lost many family members in the tragedy, including his wife, two teenage daughters, and his nephew. He stayed with his family in the stands to avoid joining the rushing crowds toward the exits.

He said that riot police on the field fired tear gas at supporters in the stands. He said, “It was a big mistake.” “Don’t they know there were many women and children also watching the match? I still don’t understand. What did we do to make them want to shoot at us?”

“Harianto managed to escape the ensuing crush with his two-year-old son Gian. His wife, Jepi Asta Putri Boroko, and their daughters, Natasya Debi Ramadani, 14, and Naila Debi Anggraini, 12, did not. Around midnight, he returned to the stadium, where dozens of body bags lay on the ground.

He said, “One by one, I opened the covers to find my family.” He choked up as he said, “Then I found Natasya and Naila lying close to each other.” “I can’t remember how many bodies I checked to find them, but when I finished everything, I still couldn’t find my wife.”

The exit gates were closed, and in a Tuesday statement, the Indonesian Football Association said it had permanently fired the security official responsible for organizing the stadium exits. It said some gates remained closed during the disaster due to orders not being properly conveyed.

Football fans chanted slogans during a candlelight vigil for Arema football club fans who fell victim to football riots on Saturday, outside the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday, October 2, 2022.

Indonesian football fans demand answers regarding the monitoring of the deadly match. Erwin Tobing, chairman of the league’s disciplinary committee, said, “The doors should have been open but they were closed.” There are 14 gates at the stadium in total. Safety rules and procedures state that gates must be opened 10 minutes before the end of the match.

The association pointed out that on the night of the disaster, many gates were still closed minutes after the referee blew the final whistle. The company spokesperson, Ahmad Riyadh, also blamed the shortage of workers, saying that “a small number of guards” were present to open the gates.

All Indonesian football league matches have been suspended by order of President Joko Widodo, as official investigations are still ongoing. On Wednesday, Widodo said he would order a “comprehensive audit” of football stadiums across the country in an attempt to prevent any further tragedies.

Edited by: Yusra Bamtraf