Stampede at mosque kills 29

The Age ^ | 10 April 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

At least 29 women and children were killed in a stampede after a religious gathering in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi today.

Around 20,000 women were gathered with their children in Faizan-e-Madina mosque in the eastern district of the sprawling city to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, which falls on Tuesday.

Local police official Zahid Hussain said the stampede occurred after a girl coming out of the mosque fell down.

Witnesses said the child cried out, sparking panic among the women who tried to force their way out of the mosque.

"All of a sudden there had been screams and shouts. Everyone ran for safety and we too," Haleema Bibi, one of the participants told Reuters.

"We were just shouting. We did not know what has happened."

"Women fell on each other as panic spread. It was an absolute mayhem. Nobody knew what has happened," another woman said.

Twenty two bodies were placed in Liaquat National Hospital while seven more bodies were brought to another hospital in the city. Police said around 100 people were injured.

Asif Ejaz Sheikh, district police officer, said there was no indication the incident was a terrorist act.

"Initially, it was said that a phone call was received by the mosque organisers that a bomb was planted in the mosque. But we have checked and there was no phone call. It was just a rumour," he said.

Karachi has a long history of deadly religious violence.

Thousands of pairs of shoes were seen littered outside the mosque. Relatives wailed and beat their chests as ambulances ferried dead and injured people to hospitals.

"My mother has died. My mother has died," a boy named Nasir shouted and fainted as he identified his 55-year-old mother, Rabia Bibi, among dead at Liaquat National Hospital.

Hospital staff made announcements through megaphones, urging people to donate blood.

Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim nation and to mark the anniversary people hold big gatherings in mosques, attend rallies and sing religious hymns.

[Aussie Dasher]

What the hell is with these people?

[mass55th]

"What the hell is with these people?"

That was my first thought. Sounds like they have a cattle mentality.

[Tiberius109]

Primitive throw backs . No place for them in this 21 st century world

[null and void]

Sounds like they have a cattle mentality.

Well DUH! They're Moooooooslimbs

Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week. Try the veal...

[SE Mom]

They don't THINK. They EMOTE and REACT.

[mass55th]

"Well DUH! They're Moooooooslimbs"

How udderly funny!!

[null and void]

You're not horning in on my act are you?

[GSlob]

"They don't THINK."
Well, thinking hurts. Besides, isn't it written somewhere: 'thou shalt not think'? And so they don't.

[mass55th]

"You're not horning in on my act are you?"

Dammit! You herd me.

[the anti-liberal]

A girl comes out of the mosque and falls down, then 22 people die from a stampede.

I would really like to know what these folks thought was happening when the girl fell - I mean really, she probably just tripped on her little burka and cried out in surprise like people do sometimes when they trip.

[null and void]

Yeah. Don't milk it, OK?

[Vigilanteman]

How apporpriate-- honoring the birthday of a bloodthirsty violent "prophet" with more blood and violence.

[thoughtomator]

Is that your trademark brand?

[null and void]

Nope. It's a Stein. A Whole Stein...

[mass55th]

"Is that your trademark brand?"

Hoof it!!

[null and void]

No need to bully him...

[mass55th]

"Yeah. Don't milk it, OK?"

Quit bullying me :-)

[null and void]

Beat ya...

[mass55th]

"No need to bully him..."

LOL! GMTA!

[null and void]

*shrug* It's that herd mentality...