JAKARTA: At least 18 persons including women were killed in a stampede that erupted during a boxing match in Indonesia’s eastern province of Papua.
The incident took place late Sunday, when supporters of the loser started a riot by throwing chairs inside the match stadium in the town of Nabire. The stadium was reportedly filled over capacity.
“Eighteen people died in the crush, 12 of whom were women, and another 38 were injured and have been hospitalized for treatment,” Papua provincial police spokesman I Gede Sumerta Jaya said on Monday.
“Everyone else made a quick dash for the exit in fear the violence would get out of control, and dozens of people were trampled on,” Jaya added.
Around 1,500 people were in the stadium when the incident happened.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
