TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has completed its investigation on the Kanjuruhan football mass stampede on October 1. The human rights watchdog deemed the use of tear gas by the police to disperse crowds as the crucial aspect that led to the deaths of hundreds of fans in attendance that day.

The investigation report was presented by Komnas HAM commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara on Tuesday, November 1.

“Many of the victims we observed had red eyes and bruised faces,” said Beka at the watchdog’s headquarters, which implies that the victims had direct contact with tear gas chemicals.

Apart from tear gas-induced injuries, Beka also elaborated that there were other physical injuries evident on victims’ bodies such as broken bones, bruises, dislocated joints, and much more. “There was also one death we found that had skull fractures,” he said.

The Commissioner of Komnas HAM, Choirul Anam, also added that laboratory test results confirmed that the tear gas used by the security personnel had expired. Data shows that the tear gas was last used in 2019.

"Chemists we met explained that constituent chemical components have changed due to the expiration. So, of course, it will be dangerous if exposed to humans just like food," said Anam.

In addition, Komnas HAM found that the use of tear gas by the police violated procedures. They discovered that the personnel in the field failed to coordinate with the Malang Police Chief, who was in charge on that fateful night at Kanjuruhan.

MIRZA BAGASKARA

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