Thousands of shoes were left behind on the bridge bearing testimony to the tragedy that unfolded in the closing moments of the traditional annual three-day festival.


A spokesman for the government confirmed, during a briefing to the press the next day, that at that time over 378 deaths were counted and over 500 people were in the various local hospitals being treated to their injuries.


Family members rush to the various hospitals to get news on their relatives, loved ones or friends. At the Russian Hospital the first board is put up with the photographs of the people that died at the hospital.


Emotions get high when a little girl walks up to the board and pointed at a photograph. Somebody takes it down for her and she starts to cry out loud. That photo is of her mum.
 

The Phnom Penh Post reported:

Ouk Sokhoeun, 21, was at the scene with his siter, 23-year-old Ouk Srey Mom, who was left unconscious and taken to Calmette Hospital, staid that military police had started firing water canons on the bridge after the stampede had already caused scores of people to fall unconscious.
He said the water cause many people on the bridge to receive electric shocks from the cables lighting the bridge, at which point “some police also received electric shocks”.

In this photo the damage to the electrical wiring to the fluorescent lights is showing clearly.

A crowd is gathering at the boards with photographs of victims outside Calmette hospital.


Victims get treatment in several emergency tents outside Calmette Hospital, whenever possible.

Onlookers are trying to discover family members whose photos have not been put up the boards outside the Calmette hospital yet.

Dead victims are ready to be picked up by their relatives who are waiting outside with coffins.
 

All photos are © copyright by Ramon Stoppelenburg.
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