STAMPEDE IN PASURUAN

Wahyoe Boediwardhana ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Pasuruan, East Java   |  Mon, 09/15/2008 7:54 PM  |  National

Alm: Dead bodies are laid at the Soediarsono General Hospital in Pasuruan, East Java. At least 21 people were killed in a stampede when thousands of people rushed to get an annual handout from a rich family in Pasuruan, Monday morning. JP/Wahyoe Boediwardhana

At least 21 people were killed and nine seriously injured during a charity distribution in Pasuruan, East Java, on Monday morning.

The annual distribution of Rp 30,000 (US$3) per person by Haji Syaikhon family attracted thousands of people to the family residence from early morning.

According to a witness, Abdul Rachim, 18, people who came from the villages near the city already started arriving at Syaikhon's home at 6 a.m. By 8 a.m., the number of people already reached over 2,000 people.

More poor people arrived at the scene, and people rushed into the house when the distribution began at 10:00 a.m., when the stampede started.

Lusiana, 36, who is now being treated at the Pasuruan general hospital, told The Jakarta Post she went to Syaikhon together with three of her friends.

"There were a lot of people around, pushing here and there, and we were trapped in the middle. I could not stand it anymore and fainted.

"When I'm aware of the situation, I found out that one of my friends, Riama, passed away," she said, while crying.

Witnesses said there were no policemen during the stampede. Policemen rushed to the scene when they received reports of the deaths.

At least 21 people died, nine people were seriously injured, and dozens of others sustain minor injuries. All the dead bodies were laid at the Pasuruan General Hospital.

Local police chief Sr. Comr. Rusli Nasution told Antara news agency that the event was not coordinated with local officials or police.

The family, who has been conducting the distribution every year in the middle of Ramadan, thought coordination was not necessary, he said.

"Several members of the family have been investigated. We certainly don't want this kind of incident to happen in the future," Rusli said. (dre)

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