Fighting Families, East Java Police Battalioned Autopsies 2 Victims Of Disruption Tragedy

East Java Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Toni Harmanto (left two) gave a statement to the media at Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang City, East Java, Wednesday (19/10/2022). (ANTARA/Vicki Febrianto)

JAKARTA - The East Java Police canceled an autopsy on two victims of the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang Regency, East Java, because they were rejected by their families.

"The autopsy was carried out, one of which asked for family approval. From the information I obtained, until now the family has not wanted an autopsy," East Java Police Chief Inspector General Toni Harmanto at Saiful Anwar Hospital, Malang City, Wednesday, October 19.

Regarding the information circulating that the autopsy process was canceled due to intimidation of the victim's family, Toni emphasized that this was not true. He said all available information could be known by the public.

"It's not true, once again it's not true (about intimidation). Please be confirmed for that, everything has been known to the public," he said as quoted by Antara.

Inspector General Toni Harmanto also apologized for the tragedy that occurred at the Kanjuruhan Stadium to the families of the victims. Currently, he ensures that the legal process continues.

According to him, the process of reconstructing the tragedy at the Kanjuruhan Stadium which resulted in 133 deaths will be carried out in Surabaya by a team from the National Police Headquarters.

"Of course there is a legal process that is still being carried out until now. Today there is a reconstruction and I will immediately return to Surabaya," said Toni.

Previously, the police stated that they would carry out two victims of the Kanjuruhan tragedy at the request of the family by the Indonesian Forensic Doctors Association (PDFI) this week. The plan is for an autopsy to be carried out at the place where the victim is buried with an exhumation process.

Saturday (1/10), there was a riot after the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya with a final score of 2-3 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang Regency. The defeat caused a number of supporters to fall and enter the field area.

The riots grew even bigger where a number of flares and other objects were thrown. Joint security officers from the National Police and the TNI tried to dispel the supporters and eventually used tear gas.

As a result of the incident, 133 people were reported to have died from fractures, trauma to the head and neck and asphysia or reduced oxygen levels in the body. In addition, it was also reported that hundreds of people suffered minor injuries including serious injuries.