German president demands uncompromising investigation into stampede in Duisburg

German President Christian Wulff on Saturday asked for "uncompromising" investigation into a deadly stampede that occurred earlier Saturday at the Love Parade in the western German city of Duisburg, one of Europe's largest electronic music events.

Wulff said in a statement that he was shocked by the tragedy: " Such a catastrophe, which caused death, suffering and pain during a peaceful celebration of cheerful young people from many countries, is terrible."

He expressed the hope that rapid and effective aid be offered to relatives of victims and those injured. "And the cause should be uncompromisingly investigated," he added.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also expressed shock at the tragedy and offered help from the federal government.

At least 15 were killed and about 100 injured on Saturday afternoon in a mass panic when people were blocked inside a tunnel in Duisburg leading to the site of the Love Parade. Local authorities had tried to prevent thousands of people from getting into the event site due to over-crowding.

Organizers said that over one million music fans attended the event on Saturday.

The Love Parade is one of Europe's largest electronic music festivals, which was originally hosted in Berlin from 1989 to 2006. Other German cities began to host it afterwards.

Source: Xinhua