TWO people have been killed and a young boy was left in a coma after a terrifying stampede when thousands of fans jammed Jakarta's biggest stadium for the Southeast Asian Games soccer final.
An AFP reporter at the scene said hundreds of people were packed tight against ticket barriers as police closed the gates shortly before kick-off at the game late on Monday, with many fans inside forced to crouch in aisles and walkways.
Police said two people were trampled to death after supporters rushed into the sold-out 88,000-capacity venue by breaking through the gate at Section 15, the Jakarta Post reported.
One of the victims was identified as Reno Alvino, 21, while the other has not yet been identified, the Jakarta Globe reported, adding that as the game itself went into extra time, the ambulance carrying both bodies was reportedly still stuck in the stadium complex.
Other reports said several people were taken to the hospital, including a nine-year-old boy who had fallen into a coma.
The harrowing incident followed complaints over poor organization at the sprawling, multi-sport showpiece, and calls for calm ahead of the flashpoint soccer final between arch-rivals Indonesia and Malaysia, AFP reported.
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