Source: World Vision - Asia Pacific
World Vision Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, November 23, 2010 - Hundreds of injured Cambodians are in need of medical attention and support says humanitarian agency World Vision, following the deaths of more than 349 people in a festival stampede.
World Vision staff have been touring overwhelmed government hospitals this morning (Tues, Nov 23) where scores of injured are recovering from the worst disaster to strike the country since the mass killings of the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s.
The survivors of the stampede on a river bridge connecting one of the sites of the annual Water Festival with the main area of the capital Phnom Penh are suffering from crush and water inhalation injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that hundreds were crushed to death on a short suspension bridge last night when festival-goers panicked on a small island close to the shore of the Bassac River. Those that attempted to escape the melee via the bridge were trapped and trampled underfoot. Many who tried to escape drowned.
A team from World Vision this morning was visiting eight hospitals that are treating the injured with the Secretary of State Mr Nim Thot. In two they had visited so far one had asked for five days of medical supplies and the other meals support. World Vision, which is chiefly a community development and humanitarian NGO, is sourcing the supplies locally, while staff would provide meals to the other hospital and may extend further assistance.
World Vision Country director Esther Halim said: "The scale of this tragedy has overwhelmed the government hospitals. My staff who visited said what they saw was very distressing. There were people lying in the corridors waiting for treatment and many relatives arriving at the hospital looking for their loved ones and in a most distraught state."
The injured were suffering from bruising and crush and water inhalation related injuries, she said.
"Some people were crushed to death under four or five layers of people during the stampede," she added.
Ms Halim met with the Minister of Social Affairs Ms Ith Sam Heng this morning. The minister is responsible for coordinating the response.
The government has so far reported 349 dead, including many children, and 526 injured.
World Vision Cambodia spokespeople:
Stephanie Zito
Regional spokesperson based in Phnom Penh
Cell: +855-17-666202
Chab Vibol
Operations Director
Cell: +855-12-687 910
World Vision staff have been touring overwhelmed government hospitals this morning (Tues, Nov 23) where scores of injured are recovering from the worst disaster to strike the country since the mass killings of the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s.
The survivors of the stampede on a river bridge connecting one of the sites of the annual Water Festival with the main area of the capital Phnom Penh are suffering from crush and water inhalation injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that hundreds were crushed to death on a short suspension bridge last night when festival-goers panicked on a small island close to the shore of the Bassac River. Those that attempted to escape the melee via the bridge were trapped and trampled underfoot. Many who tried to escape drowned.
A team from World Vision this morning was visiting eight hospitals that are treating the injured with the Secretary of State Mr Nim Thot. In two they had visited so far one had asked for five days of medical supplies and the other meals support. World Vision, which is chiefly a community development and humanitarian NGO, is sourcing the supplies locally, while staff would provide meals to the other hospital and may extend further assistance.
World Vision Country director Esther Halim said: "The scale of this tragedy has overwhelmed the government hospitals. My staff who visited said what they saw was very distressing. There were people lying in the corridors waiting for treatment and many relatives arriving at the hospital looking for their loved ones and in a most distraught state."
The injured were suffering from bruising and crush and water inhalation related injuries, she said.
"Some people were crushed to death under four or five layers of people during the stampede," she added.
Ms Halim met with the Minister of Social Affairs Ms Ith Sam Heng this morning. The minister is responsible for coordinating the response.
The government has so far reported 349 dead, including many children, and 526 injured.
World Vision Cambodia spokespeople:
Stephanie Zito
Regional spokesperson based in Phnom Penh
Cell: +855-17-666202
Chab Vibol
Operations Director
Cell: +855-12-687 910
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