Cambodia's sadness

Footbridge to Koh Pich, an island in Phnom Penh that has recently been developed as a function centre and entertainment area. The final night of the annual Water Festival had drawn a huge crowd for a night of free entertainment. There is a larger vehicle bridge maybe 200 metres from this footbridge.

Whilst New Zealand has been greatly sadenned by the mining tragedy at Pike River, Cambodia has been rocked by a bizarre disaster that has killed close to 500 people. An evening of celebration and fun inexplicably turned to carnage when a crowd crossing a footbridge turned into a senseless panic. In the demonic stampede, people were stacked up to seven high. Hundreds are still in hospitals with crush injuries, including the brother of one of our staff. The three cousins he was with all died.

Out of the senseless horror of this night has emerged so many stories of God warning His kids away. I have heard tale after tale among people we know - including 'our' Sreymom who was warned by a friend on that night 'do not go on that bridge - walk down to the other bridge'.

Just yesterday Bhopal, who directs the 'Centre of Peace' children's home, told me an amazing story. Three groups of the older children were heading to Koh Pich. One group changed their mind when they got there, and went to the Riverside. The second group decided to go home early and walked over the bridge just 10 minutes before the disaster. The third group was just three girls, all aged 16 years. They stepped onto the bridge, felt uneasy, and stepped off. After a bit they again stepped on the bridge. Again, they felt uneasy for no apparent reason. A third time they stepped forward - and that was when the disaster unfolded just ahead of them. Bhopal positively glowed in gratitude to God as she shared about how He had protected her girls!

This is Cambodia. There will be no commission of enquiry. To their credit, the government have made US$1250 payments to the families of every deceased person as well as promising to cover all hospital bills. To his credit, the prime minister openly wept on television. Over 360 people died on the night, plus a further 90+ died of injuries in hospitals up to five days ago. That number is still rising. Weeping parents spoke of how this was like Pol Pot era revisited - searching for their family members amongst hundreds of laid-out dead bodies.

Even a human stampede amongst the millions at Mecca some years ago did not produce the intensity of death that little Cambodia produced on a little footbridge. It is a stunning tragedy for this nation.