Top > World > 2005 > September > 2005-09-04

Iraq buries stampede dead

Tensions are never higher in Iraq than during large religious Shiite holidays, which attackers often use to kill en masse and send a political message. And while officials say they took measure to prevent violence, many are concerned about the tragedy",s ability to exacerbate already strained relations between Sunnis and Shiites. A three-day mourning period, officials hope, will tamp down efforts to retaliate.

Adnan Kadhimi, deputy chief of staff to the prime minister, said the health minister is still trying to get an accurate count of casualties, and an investigation has been launched to see if negligence or foul play is to blame. The dead and injured are being tested for poison after persistent rumors that water and food served to the pilgrims was tainted. Interior Minister Bayan Jabor and two top Shiite officials blamed insurgents for the stampede, saying a terrorist spread a rumor of a suicide bomber in the crowd.

But Defense Minister Saadoun Al-Dulaimi said the stampede was not related to sectarian tensions. "What happened has nothing at all to do with any sectarian tension," he said on television. At the same time, Iraqi officials acknowledged that the tragedy probably was compounded by security measures taken to prevent insurgents from crossing into the Kadhimiya neighborhood during the Shiite observance.