88 Killed in Philippines Stampede

At least 88 people were killed in a stampede early today outside a suburban stadium where about 30,000 had lined up to get tickets for a popular game show, officials said.

The crowd was waiting to enter the stadium to watch “Wowowee” when the mayhem erupted, said Vicente Eusebio, the mayor of Pasig.

Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said 88 people were confirmed dead and 280 were hospitalized.

“There were so many people, but they did not want to open the gate, and two of our companions died,” a weeping woman told DZBB radio outside the stadium.

Lito Vergel de Dios, executive director of Metro Manila Development Authority, told a Manila radio station that one witness said somebody in the crowd had shouted that there was a bomb.

There was no sign of any device, however, and some officials said the crush occurred when organizers of the event began handing out tickets. Most of the victims were elderly and all but three were women. The majority were crushed against a steel fence at one gate.

Authorities were lining up the bodies at the Ultra stadium for identification. Bags and shoes lay scattered outside the hall.

Some people had camped outside for at least two days.