Death toll rises to 375 in Cambodia stampede

Death toll rises to 375 in Cambodia stampede

2010-11-24 07:55:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHNOM PENH (BNO NEWS) -- Authorities on Tuesday announced that the death toll after a stampede in a Cambodian water festival rose to 375 and the number of injured increased to 755.

The officials added that in addition to the deceased and wounded, five individuals are still missing. On Monday evening, millions of people were in the streets of the capital Phnom Penh to attend the Water Festival celebrations.

The celebrations took a fatal turn when a massive crowd erupted in panic on a bridge due to false rumors that it was about to collapse. In consequence, people attempted to leave the area causing deaths by suffocation and internal injuries. Police reports indicate that the skin of many had turned purple as a result of the trampling.

A special committee was set up to investigate the fatal incident. Many theories have surfaced regarding how the fatal incident began. In addition to the collapse rumor, some people declared that the turmoil began when a girl fainted. Others maintained that a gang battle was the cause.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen described the stampede as the nation's darkest hour since the Khmer Rouge, whose rule between 1975 and 1979 left more than two million Cambodians killed.

Deputy prime minister and minister of interior Sar Kheng led a delegation to Koh Pich Island to see the victims site. Sok An, minister of Council of Ministers, held an urgent meeting on Monday night with local Phnom Penh authorities.

The stampede was the deadliest stampede since August 31, 2005 when more than 1,000 people were killed on the Al-Aaimmah bridge in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.

The Water Festival is the largest annual festival in Cambodia. Approximately two million residents from rural areas come to the capital city to take part of the celebrations.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-24