Jakarta (AsiaNews) - At least 18 people - including 12 women - were killed in Indonesia in a stampede sparked by a brawl at the end of a boxing match. The incident took place last night at the Kota Lama stadium in Nabire (West Papua province), where thousands of people were watching a boxing match.
At the end of the fight, supporters of the losing boxer began to contest the result. The group then began to sip up seating and attack rival fans. Most of the victims died in the brawl or were trampled by the fleeing crowd.
In an official statement, the Indonesian government expressed its condolences for the incident. Djoko Suyanto, Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, has ordered an investigation and called on police and the armed forces to combat the growing violence in the area.
According to initial reports there were more than a thousand people inside the stadium, although the maximum capacity was of just 800 people.
