At least 15 people are now said to have been killed in a stampede at the annual Love Parade at Duisburg in western Germany. The crush injured another hundred at least – with some having to be resuscitated.

Police say the crowd panicked in a tunnel. Unconfirmed reports say the victims wre crushed after authorities tried to stop thousands of people from trying to reach the area.

A motorway has been closed so that emergency services can transport the wounded to hospital.

A city official said the authorities decided not to evacuate the immediate area, fearing further panic among the crowd.

According to the organisers, the Love Parade had attracted well over a million dance music fans.

Today was the annual event’s first day. It began in Berlin in 1989 and remained in the German capital until three years ago. Financial constraints have since forced it to move to other cities.

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