Death toll mounts after Cambodian festival

Buddhist monks are praying for the dead and injured in the aftermath of the stampede at a Water Festival in Cambodia.

The disaster began on a bridge connecting an island to the mainland on Phnom Penh. Survivors spoke of shouts that people had been electrocuted.

Others heard that the bridge was about to collapse. In the panic, many of the victims were suffocated or trampled to death.

The painful process of identifying the bodies has already begun. Officials say 375 have been confirmed dead so far, with over 700 injured.

Working into the night, emergency crews on the scene battled to pull out the dead and injured. Desperate to alleviate the suffering, police sprayed water onto the crowds for survivors to drink and stay cool.

Weak and dehydrated, many were jammed in amongst the dead for hours, before being lifted to safety. Some still face the agonising wait to find out if friends and family are safe.

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