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Indonesia cash handout spurs deadly stampede

  • Story Highlights
  • At least 21 people die from stampede at handout in eastern Indonesia
  • People had lined up to receive equivalent of US$4.25 from wealthy businessman
  • Most of people who lined up for money were women, children and the elderly
  • Cash handouts are common in Indonesia during the month of Ramadan
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JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- At least 21 people were crushed to death Sunday during a cash handout in an eastern Indonesian town.

The people -- mostly women, children and the elderly -- had lined up in the town of Pasuruan, about 500 miles (804 kilometers) from the capital, to accept 40,000 rupiah ($4.25) each from a wealthy businessman.

Cash handouts are common in the Muslim country during the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan.

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A stampede ensued after panic broke out, pushing some into a fence, local media reports said.

"The local government had no prior knowledge of this handout, therefore the necessary personnel needed to secure the process was not in place," said Pasuruan mayor Aminurrohman, who like many Indonesians go by one name.

CNN's Andy Saputra contributed to this report.

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