'Ultra Stampede' victims’ kin mark tragedy’s 5th anniv

Relatives of victims of the 2006 stampede at the Ultra Stadium (now PhilSports Arena) gathered at the scene of tragedy in Pasig City early Saturday to offer prayers to their dearly departed. A report by radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas said the relatives scheduled a Mass and lighted candles of various colors outside the stadium. Members of an anti-crime group offered white flowers in memory of some 71 people who died in the stampede. On Feb. 4, 2006, at least 71 people died while 1,125 others were injured in a stampede for tickets to a defunct noontime television program’s anniversary presentation. Most of the victims were crushed to death when a crowd of around 30,000, gathered outside the PhilSports Arena, went out of control after organizers of the show announced that only the first 17,000 would be accommodated in the arena. Most people in the huge crowed had camped out for days in front of the arena hoping to get into the ABS-CBN’s popular noontime show “Wowowee" on its first anniversary celebration where cash and major prizes were to be given away. — LBG, GMA News Online