114 Die On El Salvador Holiday
San
Salvador - A total of
114 people died, including 88 murdered,
during the Divine Savior of the World
religious festival in El Salvador, which
brought the country to a halt during the
first six days of August.
The number increased by 38 over last year,
according to news reaching here on Friday.
A further 199 were injured, down from 266
last year, during the holiday, which marks
Aug. 6's founding of capital city San
Salvador and a catholic festival called the
transfiguration of Jesus.
Many citizens choose to visit their families
or go to the beach during the week-long
break.
Mauricio Ramirez, second-in-command at El
Salvador's National Civilian Police (PNC),
said that many victims were killed in
drunken fights, or for domestic violence and
organized crimes. Firearms were used in most
of the violent cases.
Victims of car accidents, drownings and
other accidents are also included in the
toll, the PNC said.
Pop artists perform during the start of the
traditional 'Desfile del Correo' festival in
San Salvador, August 1, 2009. The festival
which runs from August 1-6, is held to
honour Divino Salvador del Mundo, the patron
saint of San Salvador. |
