Phnom Penh: Cambodia's prime minister says more then 180 people have died in a stampede during the celebration of a water festival in the capital.
Authorities had estimated that upward of 2 million people would descend on Phnom Penh for the three-day water festival, which marks the end of the rainy season and whose main attraction is traditional boat races along the river.
A witness said the crowd began to panic when a few people fell unconscious in the crush.
Prime Minister Hun Sen says more than 180 people were killed in the ensuing stampede. Hundreds of injured littered the area.
Authorities had estimated that upward of 2 million people would descend on Phnom Penh for the three-day water festival, which marks the end of the rainy season and whose main attraction is traditional boat races along the Tonle Sap river. Monday night marked the end of the holiday.
The last race ended in early evening, and the panic started later on Koh Pich — Diamond Island — a long spit of land in the river where a concert was being held. It was unclear how many people were on the island to celebrate the holiday, though the area appeared to be packed with people, as was much of the waterfront.
Soft drink vendor So Cheata said the trouble began when about 10 people fell unconscious in the press of the crowd. She said that set off a panic, which then turned into a stampede, with many people caught underfoot.
Cambodia is one of the region's poorer countries, and has an underdeveloped health system, with hospitals barely able to cope with daily medical demands.
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