At least 125 people have been killed in a riot at a football match in Indonesia, most of whom were trampled to death after police fired tear gas, in one of the world's worst sporting disasters.

Violence flared at the end of the game in Malang, East Java, where hosts Arema lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya. 

Angry at their team's first home defeat by the rival club in 23 years, thousands of Arema supporters invaded the pitch and threw bottles and other missiles at players and football officials.

Clashes spread outside the stadium where at least five police vehicles were overturned and set on fire.

Riot police responded by firing tear gas, including towards the stadium's stands, sparking panic among the crowd.

Tear gas is banned at football stadiums by the international governing body FIFA.

Some people were suffocated and others trampled as hundreds ran to the exit in a bid to escape the chemical.

Children were among the victims, according to some reports.

Earlier, the number of people killed was put at 174 - but that figure has now been revised down to 125, police have said. All of the victims have been identified.

East Java police chief Nico Afinta told a news conference: "We have already done a preventive action before finally firing the tear gas as (fans) began to attack the police, acting anarchically and burning vehicles."

More than 300 people were taken to nearby hospitals but many died on the way and during treatment, Mr Afinta said.

He said the number of dead was likely to increase because many of the injured and receiving treatment were deteriorating. The latest number of injured people stands at 232.

Grieving relatives waited for information about their loved ones at hospitals and others tried to identify bodies laid out at a morgue.

Related video: Indonesia: Horrifying footage shows football match violence; Worst stadium disaster kills 129 

Indonesia's football association, known as PSSI, has suspended the premier league indefinitely in light of the tragedy and banned Arema from hosting matches for the rest of the season. 

ndonesian President Joko Widodo has expressed his condolences.

"I deeply regret this tragedy and I hope this is the last soccer tragedy in this country. Don't let another human tragedy like this happen in the future," he said.

"We must continue to maintain sportsmanship, humanity and a sense of brotherhood of the Indonesian nation."

He ordered the sports minister, national police chief and chairman of the PSSI to carry out a full investigation into the match and its security arrangements.