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29 April 2024

19 dead in Love Parade stampede in Germany

Police officers stand next to dead bodies in a tunnel where panic broke out during the Love Parade in Duisburg, Germany. (AFP)

Published
By AFP

Nineteen people were trampled to death and at least 340 injured in a stampede at the Love Parade dance party in Duisburg, according to an updated toll issued by police on Sunday.

The earlier toll given out by local authorities during the night was 18 dead and 80 injured.

Authorities did not say whether any foreigners were among the victims.

Police initially said a sudden crush happened in the tunnel leading to the day-long open air festival itself but an official from Duisburg, a city of 500,000 just north of Duesseldorf, said others also died on steps leading towards it.

Most revellers remained unaware of the incident and continued dancing and listening to the music long afterwards as authorities kept a lid on the news to avoid another panic.

Eyewitnesses said the horrific scenes were "unimaginable."

The day-long open-air music festival traditionally attracts revellers from all around the world. An estimated 1.4 million people attended this year's event, according to organisers.