Tragedy struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa, on Wednesday night during a charity event for Ramadan, where at least 80 people died in a stampede at a school.
Poor people had gathered at the Maeen School in central Sanaa after being informed that a local merchant would be handing out zakat, or alms, ahead of the festival of Eid al-Fitr.
A video of the incident showed hundreds of people crowding into a narrow street to get handouts of $9 (£7) from the merchant. The crowd quickly grew out of control, and people began screaming for help as others tried to pull them free. Later footage showed dozens of bodies on the ground, with shoes and clothing scattered over steps.
One of those injured in the incident, Alaa Saeed, described the scene, saying,
“There were many people who came to receive charity money. People jostled on top of each other, and my head was pressed against the wall because of all the pushing.”
According to another witness, the crowd was compelled to gather in the narrow street as the school’s main gate was closed. As people in the queue were pushed up the steps, they collided with others who had already received their handouts and were attempting to exit, resulting in the crush.
Hospital deputy director Hamdan Bagheri stated that at least 73 of the injured were admitted to the al-Thowra Hospital in Sanaa, with families hurrying to hospitals in search of their loved ones.
The ministry reported that the two merchants who coordinated the event were apprehended, and an inquiry was in progress.
The officials from the Houthi movement including the head of the Houthi movement’s Supreme Revolutionary Council, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, blamed the Saudi-led coalition for the economic catastrophe caused by the war, which he claims led to the tragedy. He stated that the merchant received people via a back gate reached by a narrow street and steps, resulting in overcrowding and a crush when the gate was opened.
The Houthis further declared that they would offer around $2,000 in compensation to each family who lost a relative, while the wounded would receive about $400.