UEFA to commemorate Indonesian stadium stampede victims

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - This week, all UEFA matches will feature a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of Saturday’s Indonesian football tragedy, European football's governing body said on Tuesday.

"UEFA has today announced that a moment of silence will be held prior to kick-off in memory of the victims of the tragic events at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesia.

"This moment of silence will take place at all UEFA matches this week (Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Women’s World Cup play-offs)," UEFA said in a statement.

Indonesian officials launched a probe after 125 people were killed during a stampede and riots during a football game on Saturday night.

After supporters of the losing home team stormed the pitch in the Kanjuruhan football stadium, Malang, in East Java province, officers fired tear gas to disperse them, triggering the stampede and cases of suffocation. The injured were treated at around eight health facilities.

Of the 125 deceased, 33 are children, including eight girls and 25 boys.

According to police estimates, around 40,000 spectators attended the game, with 3,000 of them rushing into the stadium.

The government is paying 50 million rupiahs ($3,268) as compensation to the families of the 125 victims.