Men are overcome by emotion as they offer prayers for the victims of Saturday’s football stamped
(Picture: AP)King Charles has sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the President of Indonesia and families affected by the Malang football stadium disaster.
At least 131 people were killed and hundreds injured in what was one of the world’s worst stadium disasters on Saturday.
The King told the country’s leader Joko Widodo that he and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, were “deeply saddened” to hear of the tragedy.
In a message signed Charles R, he wrote: “My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of the loss of life and injuries at the football match in Malang on 1 October.
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to you, the families affected and the people of the Republic of Indonesia at this difficult time.”
Indonesian officials said Monday they would set up a commission to investigate what led to the deaths in the aftermath of a game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at the overcrowded stadium in Malang, East Java.
The crush took place after police tear-gassed fans who invaded the pitch, prompting accusations their actions worsened the unrest into a deadly disaster.
Fans began to run onto the field after Arema suffered a 3-2 defeat to their rivals, with officers firing tear gas, forcing some to run into narrow exits.
Delays in unlocking the exit gates after violence broke out then contributed to the disaster, the Football Association of Indonesia has said.
Football’s global governing body FIFA states in its safety regulations that no firearms or “crowd control gas" should be carried or used by stewards or police.
Speaking in the wake of the tragedy, its president Gianni Infantino said the sport was in “a state of shock following the tragic incidents that have taken place in Indonesia" and the event was “dark day for all involved".
