Cambodians reluctantly cross reopened stampede bridge

Phnom Penh, December 08, 2010
Agence France-Presse

Cambodian monks on Wednesday blessed a bridge where more than 350 people lost their lives in a stampede last month, but some locals said they were reluctant to use the newly reopened crossing. Five saffron-clad monks chanted and sprinkled holy water as they became the first to cross the structure since the November 22 incident, Cambodia's worst tragedy in decades.

The crush happened on the final day of a water festival, when revellers panicked on a narrow crossing leading to Phnom Penh's Diamond Island, one of the main event sites, and 353 people were killed in the ensuing chaos.

An early morning Buddhist ceremony was held on the island to mark the reopening of the bridge, attended by the governor of Phnom Penh and local business owners.

Those present lit incense and made food offerings to appease the souls of the deceased and chase away evil spirits.

As traffic started flowing again across the suspension bridge, father-of-two Sok Ey said that he still believed the bridge was "bad luck".

"It's good to have the monks do the blessing but I will only cross the bridge if there are many people. Otherwise, it's scary," the 28-year-old said as he sat on his motorbike, his four-year-old daughter on his lap.

"This is a dangerous place," said construction worker Sambath, 51, adding that he was "still afraid" to use the crossing but would do so if other people did as well.

Student Seng Hun was among the first to venture over the reopened structure and said he wasn't affected by superstitious beliefs.

"It's helpful to have the religious ceremony but this incident happened by chance. Nobody could have predicted it," the 20-year-old said.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said last week no officials would be punished over the stampede, which he called "a joint mistake".

A government probe found the crush was triggered when rumours rippled through the packed crowd that the eight-metre (26 feet) wide, 100-metre long bridge was unstable.

The annual water festival, which marks the reversal of the flow between the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, draws millions of visitors to the capital to enjoy dragon boat races, fireworks and concerts.