Cambodia Stampede Claims 378 Victims

During the Water Festival on Phom Penh, Cambodia, a human stampede killed 378 civilians, who died smashed and suffocated by the sheer number of people that panicked when several members of the throng were electrocuted while celebrating on the bridge that connects the small island Koh Pitch.

The small land was decorated with entertainment attractions and several fair stands. Many civilians wanted to see the show and the bridge was blocked due to the mob. The authorities state that the panic started because of the heat and the confined space on the bridge, pretty soon people began to push each other and this caused the death of 240 women, many of the victims jumped from the bridge to the river Tonle Sap in an effort to save themselves.

The Prime Minister Hun Sen, apologized on National television for the terrible disaster and pointed out that the causes of the panic are still not known, however the police started an investigation.

On the next day of the tragic event, several personal belongings like shoes, clothing, and garbage were spread over the bridge and many children searched for their relatives. Meanwhile the hospitals were busy attending over 755 wounded. Other survivors and people sympathetic tossed flowers bouquets to the river to mourn those that fell down amidst the human stampede.