10 years since stampede tragedy in Minsk metro

On May 30, 1999 over 2000 people -- mostly youngsters -- were returning from a beer festival after a concert near the Palace of Sports. Trying to hide from the downpower and thunderstorm, people dashed to a nearest metro station. During the stampede, 53 people -- mostly young girls -- dies and 100 were injured.

The relatives of the victims filed numerous suits against the city authorities, the police, the beer company and the organizers, but their cases were rejected by courts at all the levels.

Prayers were held today at the Saint Spirit Cathedral in Minsk and flowers were laid to the site of the tragedy in the underground passage.