17 die in Indonesian boxing match stampede: police

TIMIKA: Seventeen spectators were crushed to death at a boxing match in remote eastern Indonesia after supporters of the loser started a riot, police said Monday.

"Seventeen people died in the crush, 12 of whom were women, and another 38 were injured and have been hospitalised for treatment," Papua provincial police spokesman I Gede Sumerta Jaya told.

Around 1,500 people had watched the local championship match late Sunday night at a stadium in the town of Nabire when supporters angered by the outcome began throwing chairs.

"Everyone else made a quick dash for the exit in fear the violence would get out of control, and dozens of people were trampled on," Jaya said.

A witness, who did not want to be named, was quoted by news website Detik.com as saying: "There are five gates to the stadium, but only two were in operation during the match.

"So I just ran to the one closest to me."