KNews.id- The world’s mainstream media highlighted the high death toll of children in the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan stadium on Saturday (1/10). No less big media such as AFP news agency, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Arab News, BBC and the Associated Press highlighted the heartbreaking tragedy in Malang, especially the high number of children killed.
The heartbreaking tragedy that occurred on Saturday night in the city of Malang left 125 people dead, 33 of them children and more than 300 others injured after officers fired tear gas at a packed stadium, to quell the actions of Arema supporters who entered the field.
The Deputy for Special Child Protection at the PPPA Ministry, Nahar, was quoted as saying by Antara as saying, “Thirty-three children died (consisting of) eight girls and 25 boys, ranging in age from four to 17 years.
“The incident was followed by clashes with the police, which led to the indiscriminate firing of tear gas at the stands and exits.”All those responsible must be held accountable for this disaster, regardless of their status or position,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch, Monday (3/10), the Straits Times reported.
“It is not enough for Polri and PSSI to carry out their own investigations as they may be tempted to downplay or undermine the full accountability of the officials involved,” he added in a statement.Dr Bobi Prabowo, Director of Kanjuruhan Hospital, as reported by the Straits Times told reporters that those who were brought to the hospital on Saturday night mostly suffered from trauma, shortness of breath and lack of oxygen.
“When you’re in a situation of lack of oxygen, because of the tear gas, and you’re panicking at the same time, the next thing that can happen is you pass out,” he said. Some patients suffered multiple injuries from being trampled by the crowd, said Dr Prabowo. Ester Andayanengtyas told the BBC on Monday (3/10) that her 17-year-old daughter, Debora, had suffered serious injuries, including a broken neck and swelling in the brain from the incident.
“I asked him not to watch the game that day. He didn’t come home, in the morning his friends were looking for him,” said Andayanengtyas.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a statement on the tragedy of the Kanjuruhan stadium which killed 129 people, 33 of them children (Source: New York Times).
“We looked for him in the ER, but he wasn’t there. The hospital told us to look at the morgue. The confusion occurred because my daughter didn’t bring an ID.
”Other witnesses reported hearing parents shouting “where is my child” amid the chaos, and one man told the BBC he saw parents faint while protecting their children.”A mother fainted while hugging her child, next to her the boy fainted,” he said.
“Then some supporters lifted the mother and daughter out of the stadium. They didn’t realize they were being carried because of the tear gas.
“As anger grew against the police, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Mahfud MD announced that a special task force had been formed for the investigation.
“We ask the National Police to find the perpetrators who have committed the crime in the next few days,” Mahfud MD said in a statement.”We ask them to … take action against them and we also hope that the national police will evaluate their security procedures.” (AHM)
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