Indonesian President to Order Stadium Audit after Deadly Stampede

The Malang police chief was replaced Monday, Oct. 3, nine officers were suspended and 19 others were put under investigation over the disaster in the stadium, according to police.

Not going there

Witnesses described being shrouded in smoke, their eyes stinging as they rushed for small exit doors. Several present said police stood by and refused to help victims.

"The place looked like a mass cemetery. Women and children were piling on top of one another," Eko Prianto, 39, told AFP.

Also read: At Least 129 People Dead after Riot at Indonesia Football Match

Indonesia's football association also moved Tuesday to sanction Arema FC, banning its organizing committee chairman and a security officer from football for life and fining the club 250 million rupiah ($16,500).

Maike Ira Puspita, the association's deputy secretary-general, told AFP the away fans were banned due to fears of fan violence and said the match passed without incident until fans entered the pitch after the final whistle.

She said the association sanctioned the club and its officials "due to the... negligence of the whole situation".

The actions of the police were outside of the association's scope, the official said.

"We are not going to go there," she said, refusing to answer questions about their conduct after the match.

Source: Agence France-Presse