Youth dies after brawl at Ancol rock show

JAKARTA (JP): A 16-year-old boy died yesterday after he was stabbed in a commotion during a major rock show, featuring eight local rock music groups, at Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta on Saturday night.

The victim, identified as Wendi Delon, died at Sukmul General Hospital in North Jakarta. His body was rushed later to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for an autopsy.

Bambang H.P., a staff member of the forensics department, said after an external examination that Wendi suffered from severe bodily injuries which were allegedly caused by sharp weapons.

However, he said the cause of death was hard to determine because an autopsy would be needed.

"We can't do anything because police are finding it difficult to locate his family," he said, adding that the victim did not have an identity card on him when he was sent to the hospital.

The eight groups at the show, which was sponsored by PT Radio Terminal Musik Indonesia, were Dewa 19, Slank, GIGI, Edane, Netral, Pas Band, RIF and Bias.

The commotion started in the middle of the show when RIF performed on stage. Thousands of spectators, most of them youths, did not like the band's songs and started throwing bottles and stones onto the stage, asking the band to leave, a witness, who requested for anonymity, said.

"The victim was apparently trapped in the commotion where some people took advantage of the chaotic situation," he said, adding that the victim was seen attending the show with his friends.

The mass was calmed down by GIGI's vocalist, Arman Maulana, who replaced RIF on stage. GIGI was welcomed by the spectators, he said.

Officers of the North Jakarta Police precinct also helped tone down the situation and managed to detain some people who were involved in the commotion, including some pickpockets who were caught red-handed.

Lt. Col. Rismawan, chief of the precinct, said that his officers would further interrogate the detainees.

"Yes, we've detained them, but we have to check out their involvement first before sending them to court," he said.

He declined to give further details on the number of spectators injured during the commotion as well as those detained by the police.

A staff member of Husada Hospital confirmed yesterday that some injured people during the rock concert were sent to the hospital, but declined to elaborate.

"Please, call our public relations director. I'm not in charge of issuing information," he said.

Eddy Susilo, the director of PT Radio Terminal Musik Indonesia, was unavailable for comment. But a security staff member of the radio station said the commotion was probably the continuation of an earlier weekend show.

On Oct. 18, the radio station held a similar concert by inviting some local bands. He said a skirmish between spectators also occurred, but it eventually subsided. (04)