24 May 2009

Deadly stampede at Moroccan music festival

8:54 pm on 24 May 2009

At least 11 people were killed in the Moroccan capital Rabat, after being crushed in a stampede at the Mawazine world music festival.

About 40 other people are thought to have been injured when a fence collapsed.

The incident happened on Saturday night, when some 70,000 spectators were packed into the Hay Nahda stadium to see Moroccan singer Abdelaziz Stati.

This year's festival has also featured Kylie Minogue, Khaled and Alicia Keyes.

Analysts say the week-long Mawazine festival is one of several events aimed at promoting Morocco's image as a modern, tolerant nation.

According to police, five women, four men and two children died in the crush.