Stampede in Yemen kills at least 78

Hundreds of people had gathered to receive charity handouts at an event in Yemen’s capital during Ramadan. Two witnesses told the Associated Press that guns were fired into the air in an attempt to control the crowd, apparently causing an electrical wire to explode and inciting panic. The crowd stampeded, killing at least 78 and injuring another 73, according to a health official. The Interior Ministry said it detained two organizers of the event and an investigation is underway.

Where did the gunshots come from? The Iranian-backed Houthis have controlled Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, since 2014 when they removed the internationally recognized government. It was Houthis who reportedly fired into the air attempting to control the crowd. After the stampede, the Houthis said they would pay about $2,000 in compensation to each family that lost a relative and the injured would get about $400. 

Dig deeper: Read A.S. Ibrahim’s column in WORLD Opinions on the conflict in Israel during Ramadan.