World Vision staff have been touring overwhelmed government hospitals where scores of injured are recovering from the worst disaster to strike the country in recent years.

The stampede took place on a river bridge connecting one of the sites of the annual Water Festival with the main area of the capital Phnom Penh. Survivors are suffering from crush and water inhalation injuries.

Eyewitnesses reported that hundreds were crushed to death on the short suspension bridge last night when festivalgoer’s panicked on a small island close to the shore of the Bassac River.

Those who attempted to escape the melee via the bridge were trapped and trampled underfoot. Many who tried to escape drowned.

World Vision’s Response
A team from World Vision was visiting eight hospitals in the aftermath of the accident, where injured are being treated. One hospital requested five days of medical supplies, while a second asked for meal support for patients. World Vision, which is chiefly a community development and humanitarian NGO, is sourcing the supplies locally.

World Vision Cambodia 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 in a most distraught state.”

“Some people were crushed to death while trapped under four or five layers of people during the stampede,” she added.

“That is the reason I’m alive.”
Little Moeun Lyheang is thankful to the person who rescued him from the crowd.

Moeun went to the festival on the last night to buy a watch, but met with a massive crowd when he arrived at the bridge. Moeun’s leg became trapped under something heavy and he couldn’t dislodge it.

“There was a kind person who helped me and lifted me. That is a reason that I am alive. Now my leg is injured and it’s so painful,” he said crying.

The government has so far reported 349 dead—many of whom are children—and more than 700 injured.

World Vision Cambodia is responding to the tragedy by providing needed medical supplies, water and meals to the hospitals treating the injured.

Help victims of disasters similar to the stampede in Cambodia by donating to “where it’s needed most.”