Moroccan Festival Ends In Tragedy as 11 Die in Stampede

At least 11 festival-goers died as a result of a stampede during the Mawazine (Rhythms) festival in the Moroccan capital of Rabat on May 23. Police report that victims include five women, four men and two children.

The stampede occurred after the set of Abdelaziz Stati, a home favorite who gathered an estimated 70,000 spectators in the Hay Nahda stadium. According to ChannelNewsAsia.com, as the crowd surged toward the exits, a wire fence was brought down, trapping many and injuring 30.

The injured were rushed to Ibn Sina, Rabat's main hospital. Abdelatif Benchekroun, the hospital's head emergency care, told AFP, "Most of the injured are young."

The Mawazine festival, created in 2002, brought together about 1,700 international and local artists, including Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue and Alicia Keys.

Festival organizers issued a statement offering the families of the victims "its profound and sincere condolences."

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Mawazine.ma

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