Unanswered Tragedy: Epicenter of Stadium Disaster Still Haunts Grieving Families

One year has passed since the tragic Kanjuruhan football stadium disaster in Indonesia, which claimed the lives of over 130 people. Now, the families of the victims are urging authorities to reopen investigations and officially recognize the incident as a grave violation of human rights. In an emotional gathering at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta, captured on video by CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia, these families expressed their desperate plea for justice.

Families, who had traveled to Jakarta from Malang Regency where the tragedy occurred, donned black T-shirts with the message: "Never Forget, 1 October, 2022," while clutching photographs of their deceased relatives.

The crushing incident, which resulted in the death of 135 individuals and left hundreds more injured, transpired as crowds desperately sought exits following a confrontation between fans and police. Security forces deployed tear gas within the stadium, contributing primarily to the chaotic crush, as affirmed by investigations conducted by government-endorsed fact-finding teams.

So far, only three police officers and two organizers have faced trial, which has drawn criticism from the families of the victims. The prison sentences, ranging from one to two years, have been deemed too lenient. A woman protesting outside the police headquarters, who lost her daughter in the tragic stampede, expressed her desire for justice and a harsher punishment for the 135 lives lost.

On Monday, numerous individuals assembled at the premises of Komnas HAM, a governmental organization dedicated to human rights. Imam Hidayat, a representative of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy Advocacy Team, proclaimed that the Kanjuruhan tragedy constituted a severe violation of human rights. Hidayat urged the Attorney Generals Office to establish an autonomous team to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident, highlighting the potential conflict of interest if the investigation were to be carried out by the police.

Also present at the protest was Daniel, a grieving father whose daughter Elvi Duali tragically lost her life at the stadium. Expressing his deep anguish, Daniel remarked, "It's deeply unjust. Even a year later, the families of the victims, including us, are still awaiting justice."

An Arema FC supporter cries near an entrance gate at the Kanjuruhan stadium.

Willy Kurniawan/Reuters

Survivors of the Indonesia stadium tragedy recall the terrifying ordeal, while officials attribute the crush to locked exits. Situated in East Java, the Kanjuruhan Stadium primarily hosted soccer matches, boasting an alleged seating capacity of 38,000 spectators.

Approximately 42,000 tickets were purchased for the game on October 1, 2022, marking the onset of one of the most harrowing calamities in sports history. The confrontation between several Arema FC supporters and law enforcement compelled security personnel to deploy tear gas within confined sections of the stadium. In a state of panic, the distressed fans endeavored to escape the suffocating fumes, resulting in a stampede at the exits.

Many of those killed were trampled to death or died from asphyxiation and other breathing problems, officials said.

Among the dead were 33 children, including one as young as 3.

Many are still traumatized by the events on October 1.

Willy Kurniawan/Reuters

Survivor accounts emerged alleging excessive force by armed riot police officers kicking and beating people at the scene.

President Joko Widodo's plans to demolish and reconstruct the stadium have not yet come to fruition, as the building remains mostly abandoned, adorned with graffiti and posters denouncing the tragic incident. According to rights groups, a whole year has transpired, yet there has been no progress towards rectifying the situation.

"The ongoing legal process still does not fulfill a sense of justice for victims or their families," said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia.