After a heated football match between local rivals Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium, tensions escalated among fans. Following the match, a significant confrontation erupted, prompting police intervention with tear gas to disperse the crowd. This action triggered a mass panic, causing many fans to rush towards the exits in a desperate attempt to flee the situation. Unfortunately, this resulted in a horrifying human crush, with many individuals getting trapped and unable to breathe.

Eyewitness accounts detail the chaotic scenes that unfolded as the crowd turned chaotic. Reports indicated that more than 40,000 spectators were present, and as the emergency escalated, the infrastructure of the stadium was overwhelmed. First responders and medical teams were called in to address the casualties, but the chaos hampered rescue efforts. By the end of the night, 135 people were confirmed dead, with hundreds more injured, bringing national and international condemnation towards the police practices that led to this tragedy.

Kanjuruhan Stadium, known for its passionate football culture, had a dark stigma attached following this tragedy. Fans across Indonesia mourned the lives lost, and the incident sparked intense discussions regarding stadium safety, crowd control measures, and police protocols during large gatherings. The disaster marked a significant chapter in Indonesian football history and led to calls for reform in how authorities handle sporting events to prevent future calamities.