78 Die, 73 Injured in Yemeni Charity Stampede

No less than 78 persons have been confirmed dead in a stampede at a Ramadan charity in Sanaa, Yemeni capital, on Wednesday. 

Reports also indicated that 73 persons sustained various degrees of injury in the mishap considered as the deadliest tragedy in the war-torn country for years. 

Hundreds of poor people had gathered at an old city centre to receive about $10 each from a charity funded by local merchants when the incident occurred.

Houthi-run Interior Ministry said the deaths resulted from a stampede sparked by gunfire, compounded by an electrical explosion at an event to distribute financial aid during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 

Eye witness accounts say armed Houthis fired into the air in an apparent crowd control attempt. However, the shot mistakenly struck an electrical wire, causing it to explode following which the crowd panicked. The ensuing melee led to a stamped as people made to escape perceived danger. 

Social media video images showed dozen footages of the aftermath which showed dead bodies, bloodstains, shoes and victims' clothing scattered on the ground.