Indonesia Police Chief, Others Removed Over Soccer Disaster
Newsy
Most of the 125 deaths at an Indonesian soccer game occurred when riot police fired tear gas, triggering a disastrous stampede of fleeing fans.
An Indonesian police chief and nine elite officers were removed from their posts Monday and 18 others were being investigated for responsibility in the firing of tear gas inside a soccer stadium that set off a stampede, killing at least 125 people, officials said.
Distraught family members were struggling to comprehend the loss of their loved ones, including 17 children, at the match in East Java's Malang city that was attended only by hometown Arema FC fans. The organizer had banned supporters of the visiting team, Persebaya Surabaya, because of Indonesia's history of violent soccer rivalries.
The disaster Saturday night was among the deadliest ever at a sporting event.
