A stampede in Yemen on Thursday left more than 80 people dead and hundreds injured. AFP reported that the incident took place at a school in Sana'a, Yemen's capital, while a charity cash distribution was taking place. According to El Mundo, the event occurred in the Bab al-Yemen district of Sana'a. A Houthi security official reported that at least "85 people were killed and more than 322 injured." The newspaper reported that "there are women and children" among the fatalities.
Sensible images. According to Al Jazeera TV journalist Saad Abedine, the incident in Yemen occurred during a charity event to distribute money. At least 90 dead and hundreds injured. Houthis reportedly fired into the crowd causing the stampede.
⚠️Imágenes sensibles⚠️
De acuerdo al periodista Saad Abedine, de la TV Al Jazeera, el incidente en Yemen se produjo durante un evento benéfico para repartir dinero. Al menos 90 muertos y cientos de heridos.
Hutíes habrían disparado contra la multitud provocando la estampida. pic.twitter.com/m6HruhyUwd
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundial2) April 20, 2023
According to local media reports, the incident occurred when gunshots were heard in the air, allegedly by Houthi militiamen in charge of crowd control. This version is under investigation.
The prime minister of the Houthi movement that controls northern Yemen, Abdulaziz Bin Habtour, said in statements reported by DW that it is a "great tragedy": "We are experiencing a great tragedy, a large number of our citizens have died during this stampede."
It seems that the events leading up to the tragic accident are clear. According to what a witness told AP, the incident took place at a school located in the old part of the city. In the building, as part of the usual Ramadan ritual, $9 dollars was being distributed per person to the crowd gathered there. This event, organized by the merchants of the area, brought together a large crowd seeking charity from its citizens.
Yemeni authorities are currently investigating the incident. They have one culprit: the Houthi rebels. This was announced on Twitter by Yemeni Information Minister Muarman al-Eryani:
● Responsibility for Sanaa massacre that took place in one of the aid distribution centers belonging to a merchant, falls on those who plundered the public treasury, and public reserves, of the state, and suspended salaries 8 years ago, disrupted the private sector, and…
— معمر الإرياني (@ERYANIM) April 20, 2023
