2020 Maligawatta stampede

The Maligawatta stampede was a fatal incident which occurred on 21 May 2020, near a Muslim Jumma residence in Maligawatta, Colombo-10, amid lockdown and curfew which was imposed in the area due to COVID-19 pandemic in the country.[1][2][3] The incident happened around 1:00pm while charity donation program was conducted to distribute money for the Maligawatta area residents on the eve of Ramadan.[4][5]

2020 Maligawatta stampede
Date21 May 2020 (2020-05-21)
Time1:00pm
LocationMaligawatta, Sri Lanka
Coordinates6°56′14″N 79°52′19″E
Causestampede occurred during a charity program
Deaths3
Non-fatal injuries9

Incident

Nearly 300-400 people were reported to have gathered in a queue during a private charity donation program conducted by businessman Zarook Hajiyar based in Dehiwala with the purpose of distributing money at least Rs. 5000 per person for the area residents, especially to the poor.[6][7] Around three women were killed due to the stampede and it was revealed that it happened due to the panic situation and careless behaviour among women.[8][9] Nine people were severely injured including seven women and four women who were injured in the stampede have been reported to be in critical condition after being admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.[10]

Six suspects who were involved in relief distribution were arrested mainly for conducting such an event amid coronavirus and for not maintaining proper hygienic measures, ignoring the ban on public gatherings.[11] Suspects related to the incident were remanded until 4 June.[12]

References
  1. "3 dead and 9 injured in a stampede in Maligawatte; 6 arrested". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  2. "hree females died while nine others injured in a stampede in Maligawatte | Asian Tribune". www.asiantribune.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  3. Rizwie, Rukshana. "3 dead in a stampede in Maligawatta during aid distribution". Daily News. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  4. "Breaking : 3 dead in a stampede in Maligawatta". NewsWire. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  5. "Women crushed to death in Sri Lanka stampede for $8 handout". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. "Leading businessman arrested in stampede deaths – Police". EconomyNext. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  7. "Three killed, eight injured in stampede during coronavirus aid distribution in Sri Lanka". WION. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  8. "3 killed in donation stampede in Sri Lanka - Xinhua | English.news.cn". Archived from the original on 3 June 2020.
  9. "நிவாரணம் பெறுவதற்காக கூடிய மக்கள் கூட்டம்..! நொிசலில் சிக்கி 3 பெண்கள் பலி, 4 பேர் காயம், 6 பேர் கைது.. | Jaffna Breaking News 24x7". Jaffnazone.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  10. "Three killed during Sri Lanka cash handout". BBC News. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  11. "Three dead in a stampede in Maligawatte during a relief distribution by private individuals (Video)". Hiru News. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  12. "Suspects in connection with the Maligawatta stampede remanded". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
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