Over 150 University of Cambodia (UC) students and staff members walked from the UC campus to the Koh Pich Bridge (Diamond Bridge) on November 25 to pay their respects to victims of the bridge stampede. The stampede occurred on the last day of the Water Festival on November 22, 2010.
Government officials have revised the death toll to 351 following the deadly stampede on Koh Pich Bridge. Nearly 400 people were also injured during this tragic event, which was caused when thousands of people panicked on the bridge after it began to sway.
The Cambodian government proclaimed November 25 as a national day of mourning to commemorate the lives of the victims and encouraged people to express their condolences for victims of the tragic event.
“We are walking because we would like to show the Khmer heart.”
Mr. By Bunsothearith,
Assistant in the
Office of Human Resources
Many within the UC community did just that, like By Bunsothearith, Assistant in the Office of Human Resources, who said at the start of the procession, “We are walking because we would like to show the Khmer heart. When I found out about this, I was so sad.” UC students and faculty members were invited to participate in the march and asked to wear white shirts on the national day of mourning. UC also flew its flags at half-mast on that day.
During the two days prior to the march, the UC community fundraised on-campus and then donated the funds to a charitable organization that will help provide aid to the families of the victims.
Members of the UC community were deeply saddened by the tragic event, and our community extends our condolences and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of victims in this tragedy.
