Cambodia to build stupa to commemorate dead in stampede

Nov. 24. 2010
(Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH -- The Cambodian government decided to build a stupa to commemorate the dead from the stampede Monday night at Diamond Island bridge, a letter signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday said.

"A stupa must be built to commemorate the people who lost their lives in the accident at the Diamond Island bridge on Nov. 22, 2010 in order to remember this worst tragedy for the nation and Cambodians," said the letter.

The letter arranged Phnom Penh municipality to select the location to build it and Ministry of Council of Ministers, the Finance Ministry, the Interior Ministry, Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Ministry, Water Resources Ministry, and relevant ministries must comply with this decision.

The stampede tragedy on Monday night at the Diamond Island bridge killed 456 people during the last day of the water festival. Cambodia's Water Festival from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 is the largest annual festival in the Southeast Asian nation, around 2 million Cambodians, especially those from rural areas converged in the city to enjoy the regatta.

Editor: Yang Lina