Tear gas fuels stampedes that kill 129 at Indonesian soccer match

At least 129 people were killed in a horrifying outbreak of violence at a soccer match in Indonesia.

The rival clubs of Persebaya Surabaya and Arema Malang were squaring off in Kanjuruhan Stadium in the city of Malang in East Java province when multiple fights erupted after the game, police said.

Cops tried using tear gas to mitigate the violence, but it was a catastrophic failure, witnesses said.

The gas caused even non-fighting attendees to panic and run for the exits, police said. In the press of the crowds, some people suffocated and other were trampled. Some 34 people were killed instantly, the Associated Press said.

More than 300 people were rushed to hosptials, but many died on the way or while being treated, said reports.

Indonesian police said the death toll could rise, as many people were hospitalized in critical condition.

With News Wire Services