180 killed in Cambodia stampede (Third Lead)

PHNOM PENH - At least 180 people were killed in a stampede as thousands of people celebrated Cambodia’s annual water festival, Prime Minister Hun Sen said early Tuesday.

He said that hundreds of people were injured and the death toll could rise, Xinhua reported. The premier also ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident which took place Monday night on a bridge in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

The water festival from Nov 20-22 is the largest annual festival in the country. About two million Cambodians, especially those from rural areas, gathered in the city to enjoy the regatta.