78 People Die in Yemen Stampede
At least 85 people were killed in a stampede during a charity event at a school in Yemen's capital Sanaa.
At least 78 people were killed in a stampede in Yemen’s capital Sanaa as residents gathered at a school to receive cash donations distributed by businessmen during Ramadan. Hundreds had gathered at the school to receive a donation of 5,000 Yemeni riyals Rs 1,642 each. Merchants had gathered "several days'" worth of registered individuals to distribute aid to at one go at a school, the entrance to which is off a narrow road with steps leading up to the gate. When the door opened, there was a big rush by people wanting to reach the school yard first and some people began falling on the steps leading to the entrance. Eyewitnesses said armed military officials shot in the air in an attempt to control the crowd, apparently striking an electrical wire and causing it to explode. That sparked panic and people began stampeding. A video showed a crowd of people jammed together, some screaming and shouting and reaching out to be pulled to safety. Security staff fought to push people back and control the crowd. Another video after the stampede showed scores of discarded shoes, a crutch and clothing on the steps of the building, and forensic investigators in protective white suits sorting through personal belongings.
Footage showed corpses strewn across the complex, which was littered with sandals and scraps of clothes after the area was cleared. The school has been sealed off and even families have been barred from entering the school. Large crowds descend on a hospital entrance. The two merchants responsible for organising the donation event had been detained and an investigation was underway. People in Yemen are extremely impoverished. This is because of the 8-year war that is going on. The war has killed tens of thousands of people, wrecked the economy and pushed millions into hunger. The war was between the Iran-backed Houthi Rebels and the Yemeni government. The Houthi then seized the country and formed their government.This was unacceptable to the neighbors Saudi Arabia and a war broke out between them and the Houthis. This has been going on for 8 years. Fighting has eased dramatically since the six-month UN-brokered truce last year. Sadly the people of Yemen continue to suffer.
