More than 50 people died during a stampede that occurred in the center of the Yemeni capital Sana’a during a charity event, Al-Arabiya reports citing representatives of the Yemeni authorities.
A security official in Sana’a said at least 53 people were killed. At the same time, a health official estimated the death toll at almost 80 people. Another 120 people were injured, 20 of them are in critical condition.
Al-Masdar Online, a Yemeni news agency, reports that people have gathered in the Bab el-Yemen area to receive financial assistance for “zakat” (obligatory alms in Islam). An agency source who was near the scene said gunshots were heard first, and then a short circuit occurred, causing the lights to go out. All this led to panic and stampede.
The agency also adds that the country’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of two traders, who are accused of “randomly distributing sums of money without coordination with the Ministry of Interior and without organization.”
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
