Shoppers rushing to buy discount cooking oil triggered a stampede yesterday at a Chongqing supermarket which left at least three dead and dozens injured.
The accident happened at 8.20am when the bargain hunters, who had begun queuing at 4am, made a rush for the doors as the Carrefour store opened. Some slipped and were crushed from behind.
The promotion was held to mark the store's 10th anniversary.
'The reason so many people lined up so early was because the supermarket only put 200 bottles of oil on sale,' said one Chongqing resident, who blamed Carrefour for the chaotic arrangements.
'Three people died, and 31 have been hospitalised, seven with serious injuries,' Gao Chang , spokesman of the Shapingba District government office, said in the southwestern municipality.
The supermarket was ordered to close for investigation.
Mr Gao said local authorities would punish those responsible.