Cambodian police officials examine the bridge where at least 330 people died in a stampede in Phnom Penh. A stampede in the Cambodian capital has left more than 340 people dead and hundreds injured after panic erupted at a water festival that had attracted millions of revellers.(AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)
Monday, 29 November 2010
By Sam Rith and David Boyle
Phnom Penh Post
Prime Minster Hun Sen has said no one will be punished for the Diamond Island stampede that claimed more than 350 lives, although he conceded the incident was the “joint” responsibility of the government.
“I would like to clarify to all citizens that no one will be punished from this incident,” he said, blaming the stampede, which he had called the worst tragedy since the Khmer Rouge, on carelessness and failure to correctly evaluate the situation.
He conceded the government had to accept accusations that they had been incapable of handling the situation, describing it as “a historical lesson that we must remember.”
Hun Sen also vowed to continue the development of Diamond Island as a housing and commercial real-estate site and confirmed a meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties on December 2 would still go ahead, as would next year’s water festival.
By Sam Rith and David Boyle
Phnom Penh Post
Prime Minster Hun Sen has said no one will be punished for the Diamond Island stampede that claimed more than 350 lives, although he conceded the incident was the “joint” responsibility of the government.
“I would like to clarify to all citizens that no one will be punished from this incident,” he said, blaming the stampede, which he had called the worst tragedy since the Khmer Rouge, on carelessness and failure to correctly evaluate the situation.
He conceded the government had to accept accusations that they had been incapable of handling the situation, describing it as “a historical lesson that we must remember.”
Hun Sen also vowed to continue the development of Diamond Island as a housing and commercial real-estate site and confirmed a meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties on December 2 would still go ahead, as would next year’s water festival.
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