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Two Injured in Stampede at Jakarta Governor's Idul Fitri Charity Event

Two people were injured and 11 others fainted during a stampede at an Idul Fitri charity event held by Jakarta’s governor on Monday.

The event was held at City Hall to distribute 6,000 bags of essentials and envelopes containing Rp 40,000 ($4.10) to the city’s poor to mark the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The event began at 8 a.m. and was scheduled to finish at midday. 

The event was presided over by the city’s top officials, Governor Fauzi Bowo, Deputy Governor Prijanto and city secretary Muhayat.

The annual event went smoothly until 10 a.m. when chaos unfolded at the City Hall gates, as people pushed their way through to the side of the building, causing a stampede.

Two women, Dartin, 50, and Satneh, 38, were trampled by the crowd, suffering from shock and facial injuries. They were taken to Tarakan Hospital by ambulance.

Another woman named Ningsih, 48, also suffered from shock but was not taken to hospital.

At least 11 people fainted due to the heat and the stampede.

Effendi Anas, the city's welfare assistant, said that there were 300 officials assigned to guard the event along with officials from Jakarta Police.

City Secretary Muhayat said that the number of packages allocated was sufficient.

"It's enough for all the people,” he said.

He said that last year there were only 4,000 packages available and many people missed out, so the city added another 2,000 for this year.

"There is no [supply] problem, actually. The people here are only impatient and they are afraid they will not get the money and package of essentials," he said.

Muhayat said that the city will cover all expenses for the injured women since Tarakan Hospital is city-owned.

Aminah, 48, from Pedongkelan in East Jakarta said that she was queuing and suddenly felt pushing coming from the back of the crowd. She fell to the ground and was stepped on by others in the stampede.

"I am shocked. There was nothing and then suddenly I was being hit and pushed," she said.

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