Death From Stampede In Cambodia Increases To 345

By ONE Liners Agencies

Cambodia Stampede

CAMBODIA NEWS - In a freaky accident, a stampede at Cambodian festival cost at least 345 people's lives. Official report says, the stampede killed 345 people and another 391 were injured. There were huge gathering of people at the annual Water Festival in the capital city of Phnom Penh Monday.

The nation declared Thursday a national day of mourning. In addition, the government has also set up a commission to look into the incident.

The government announced to consolidate the family of deceased by paying 5 million riel ($1,230) and also said would help with the transport of the bodies of those who died.

The three day festival is held every November near the palace to honor a victory by Cambodian naval forces during the 12th-century reign of King Jayvarman VII. The festival includes various activities like boat races, etc. and people pray for good harvest, sufficient rain and celebrate the full moon.

A Cambodian Embassy official said in Washington that more than 4 million people were attending the festival when sudden stampede occurred.

The probable cause of stampede according to municipal police chief was a break a suspension bridge packed with people began to sway, creating hysteria and eventually stampede occurred.

It is said that police began firing water cannons onto a bridge to move the crowd across the bridge but the efforts went to vain. People were in utter panic and lost the judgment. A number of people lost consciousness and fell into the water.