Deadly Stampede in Yemen's Capital Claims 78 Lives During Aid Distribution Event
At least 78 people were killed and 73 injured in a devastating stampede in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on April 20, 2023. The tragedy took place during a charity event organized by local merchants, where hundreds gathered to receive financial aid of around $10 each, funded by the businessmen. The event occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, a time when such aid distribution is customary.
Eyewitnesses reported that gunshots were fired to manage the crowd, resulting in an electrical wire exploding and sparking panic among the attendees. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who control the capital, have detained two organizers and sealed off the area[3]. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and compensation will be paid to the victims' families.
This stampede is one of the deadliest events in Yemen in recent years that did not involve the ongoing conflict in the country. The proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which began in 2014 when the Houthis took control, has claimed over 150,000 lives and created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters. Negotiations for a truce and the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Yemen are currently underway.
