Hundreds Dead in Cambodia Stampede

Thousands of Cambodians at a riverside festival in the capitol of Phnom Penh stampeded across on an island and across a bridge killing at least 350 people on Tuesday. Some of the victims were spectators lined along the bridge leading off to the island who were knocked into the water or trampled as the fleeing crowd surged its way across the bridge.

An eyewitness said the trouble appeared to start after a concert on the island when about 10 people in the crowd fell unconscious, which in turn set off a panic.

Prime Minister Hun Sen made two live television broadcasts after midnight, giving a preliminary death toll of 181 that he later increased to 190. The website of the newspaper Kampuchea Thmey cited Gen. Sao Sokha, chief of the military police, as saying the death toll could be close to 300, according to information from four hospitals to which bodies were taken.

Authorities had estimated that upward of 2 million people would descend on Phnom Penh for the three-day water festival, which marks the end of the rainy season and whose main attraction is traditional boat races along the river.

The last race ended early Monday evening, the last night of the holiday, and the panic started later on Koh Pich -- Diamond Island -- a long spit of land wedged in a fork in the river where a concert was being held. It was unclear how many people were on the island to celebrate the holiday, though the area appeared to be packed with people, as were the banks.

Seeking to escape the island, part of the crowd pushed onto a bridge, which also jammed up, with people falling under others and into the water. So Cheata said hundreds of hurt people lay on the ground afterward. Some appeared to be unconscious.

Cambodia is one of the region's poorer countries, and has an underdeveloped health system, with hospitals barely able to cope with daily medical demands.

The 3-day water festival, which features traditional boat races, was expected to draw 2 million visitors to Cambodia's capital city.