Yemen’s SANAA — According to witnesses and Houthi rebel officials, a stampede occurred late Wednesday at an event to distribute financial aid during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Yemen’s capital, killing at least 78 people and injuring at least 73 others.
The disaster was Yemen’s bloodiest in years, unrelated to the country’s long-running war, and it occurred only days before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan later this week.
According to two witnesses, Abdel-Rahman Ahmed and Yahia Mohsen, armed Houthis fired into the air to contain the crowd, allegedly striking an electrical wire and causing it to explode. According to them, this caused panic, and people, including many women and children, began stampeding.
As individuals sought to aid, video released on social media showed dozens of dead, some lifeless and others shouting. A separate film published by Houthi officials of the aftermath showed bloodstains, shoes, and victims’ clothing spread on the ground. Investigators were seen looking over the area.
According to the Houthi-run Interior Ministry, the crush occurred in Sanaa’s Old City, where hundreds of underprivileged people had assembled for a charity event organized by merchants.
The disaster was Yemen’s bloodiest in years.
According to witnesses, people had gathered to receive roughly $10 each from a charity financed by local merchants. During Ramadan, wealthy people and companies frequently distribute cash and food, particularly to the needy.
Brig. Abdel-Khaleq al-Aghri, the spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry, blamed the crowding on the “random distribution” of cash without consultation with local authorities.
According to the rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite TV program, Motaher al-Marouni, a top health official, 78 persons were killed. According to hospital deputy director Hamdan Bagheri, 73 others were injured and brought to al-Thowra Hospital in Sanaa.
The insurgents promptly cordoned off a school where the ceremony was being hosted and banned others from coming, including journalists.
The Interior Ministry stated that two organizers had been detained and an inquiry was underway.
The Houthis stated they would give $2,000 to each family who lost a relative and $400 to those injured.
Since the Houthis descended from their northern stronghold in 2014 and deposed the internationally recognized government, Yemen’s capital has been under their control.
In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition intervened to try to reinstall the government.
In recent years, the battle has devolved into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, killing over 150,000 militants and civilians and causing one of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 21 million Yemenis, or two-thirds of the country’s population, require assistance and protection. More than 17 million people are deemed highly vulnerable among those in need.
The United Nations reported in February that it had received only $1.2 billion out of a target of $4.3 billion at a conference to raise funding to alleviate the humanitarian situation.
SOURCE – (AP)
