Young boy killed at soccer match

Young boy killed at soccer match

GORONTALO, North Sulawesi: An 11-year-old vendor died after
being crushed by a wall which collapsed under the weight of
spectators at a football match.

A crush of spectators attempting to buy tickets for the match
had built up on the other side of the January 23 Stadium
perimeter wall.

The young vendor was seated next to the wall selling ice cream
and cigarettes when it gave way.

The Thursday evening game between Persidago Gorontalo and
Persma Manado was an eagerly anticipated local derby match which
an estimated 20,000 people had come to see.

People were clamoring to buy tickets at the entry booth on the
other side of the wall. The wall gave way under the weight of the
crowd and collapsed on the unsuspecting young vendor, who has not
yet been identified.

Three spectators were also injured in the incident.

Antara yesterday quoted several spectators and officials as
saying that the organizing committee caused the crush by delaying
opening the stadium gates. They were attempting to raise the
ticket price from Rp 1,000 to Rp 2,500 after seeing the large
crowds who had turned up to see the match.