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A pair of sneakers in the stands at Kanjuruhan Stadium, where at least 125 people died after riots
Photo: Hendra Permana / dpa
After the deadly mass panic in a football stadium, Indonesia deployed an independent team of experts to clarify the background.
This was announced on Monday after a special government meeting with senior security officials.
The tragedy in the city of Malang, which left at least 125 dead, is one of the worst stadium disasters in football history.
Security Minister Mohammad Mahfud said the Joint Independent Fact Finding Team would be made up of government officials, football association officials, experts, academics and journalists.
"The team is expected to complete its work in two or three weeks," Mahfud said.
The government has also instructed the national police to investigate people who could be responsible for the tragedy “in the next few days”.
Riots broke out on Saturday evening after the Premier League match between Arema FC and Persebaya FC in the city of Malang in East Java province.
Following Arema's 2-3 home defeat, around 3,000 spectators stormed the pitch at Kanjuruhan Stadium.
The police used tear gas.
A mass panic ensued, and for many there was no escape.
Trampled to death
Many of the victims are said to have died from a lack of oxygen, while others were apparently trampled to death.
Two police officers are also among the dead.
According to the authorities, more than 300 people were injured, some seriously.
It is one of the worst stadium disasters in football history.
Human rights activists called for detailed investigations.
Both police commanders and rank and file officials must be held accountable for deciding to fire "significant and excessive amounts of tear gas," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.
"FIFA's own rules prohibit the use of 'crowd control gas' in stadiums," he stressed.
The Fifa U20 World Cup is to be held in football-mad Indonesia next year.
The island nation has also applied for the 2023 Asian Soccer Championship.
mas/dpa/AFP