【明報專訊】A stampede has killed more than three hundred in Cambodia (柬埔寨). On November 22, large numbers of Cambodians gathered together on Diamond Island, an artificial island, for a concert in celebration of the end of the rains. When they crossed a bridge to return to the shore, a massive stampede occurred.
Many were suffocated; others drowned after they had jumped into the water. Some hit themselves against the concrete ground and were badly injured. It is believed to be the worst tragedy Cambodia has seen since the Khmer Rouge regime collapsed in the 1970s.
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its health care services are poor. Some say poor hospital services have contributed to the heavy casualties. The Cambodian government has pledged to pay the family of a victim who got killed USD9,500 and that of one who got injured USD1,900.
■Keywords
stampede 擠擁
casualty 死傷者
medical services 醫療服務
tragedy 悲劇
■Further readings
BBC. " Hundreds killed in Cambodian festival stampede", 2010.11.22
■Questions
1. Why did Cambodian people gather together on Diamond Island?
2. What are the factors in the heavy casualties?
3. Poor health care services have made the disaster worse. What other factors may increase the death toll of a disaster in a less-developed country?
