Three killed in Saudi shop stampede

Three men have been trampled to death in a rush to claim vouchers at the first Ikea furniture showroom in Saudi Arabia, hospital officials said.

The Ikea store in Jidda was the first to open in Saudi Arabia

Sixteen shoppers were injured at the Sweden-based furniture store’s showroom in the Red Sea city of Jiddah on Wednesday.

 

Medics revived some 20 customers who had fainted in the crush.

   

The stampede was triggered by an offer for the first 50 shoppers to received $150 vouchers.

 

An official at Ikea’s Saudi agent said more than 70,000 people showed up at the Jidda branch.

   

Hospital officials said the three dead included a Pakistani and a Saudi national.

   

Ikea is known for simple, reasonably priced products.

Source: Reuters