A stampede at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus claimed the lives of three women and injured five children on Friday, January 10, following a meal distribution announced by a popular Syrian chef and TikTok personality.
The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets described the tragedy as a result of severe overcrowding during an event organized by civilians. “Our teams responded alongside others, rescuing a child and retrieving the body of a woman from the mosque,” the organization said in a statement.
Event Sparks Chaos
The incident was linked to an event organized by Abu Omar Al-Dimashqi, the owner of the “Al-Beit Al-Dimashqi” restaurant and a prominent TikToker. Announcing the event days prior, Abu Omar invited the public to the Umayyad Mosque for free meal distributions, inadvertently setting the stage for a chaotic rush.
Eyewitnesses reported a surge in attendance, amplified by rumors that popular public figures would be present, coinciding with the visit of the Italian Foreign Minister. The mosque, already crowded for Friday prayers, became dangerously packed as people scrambled for meals in the mosque’s courtyard.
Videos shared on social media revealed a lack of proper organization, with masses jostling for food. The stampede resulted in severe injuries, including fractures and bruises sustained by children.
Public Outcry & Criticism
The tragedy has ignited widespread outrage and criticism of the event’s organization. Social media users and journalists condemned the handling of the event, accusing the organizer of prioritizing personal fame over public safety.
Syrian journalist Murad Abdul Jalil tweeted: “This reflects the suffering of the people, forced by poverty to gather in large numbers for a meal. Such chaos could have been avoided with organized food distribution, but it seems the goal was fame and ‘likes.’”
Others expressed anger over the exploitation of poverty for social media content. “This incident epitomizes the Syrian situation,” wrote Huda Zaghloul. “People are suffering, while others exploit their plight for attention.”
Government Response
Damascus Governor Maher Marwan expressed condolences for the victims and vowed accountability. “We bear full responsibility for what happened at the Umayyad Mosque,” Marwan said in a statement reported by SANA, Syria’s official news agency. Marwan also announced that authorities are working with the Ministry of Interior to investigate the incident and take urgent measures to prevent similar tragedies.
A Preventable Tragedy
The incident at the Umayyad Mosque highlights the deep struggles faced by many Syrians. With poverty rampant, the promise of a free meal drew overwhelming crowds to one of the capital’s most frequented sites. Critics argue that better planning and organization could have averted the catastrophe. As Damascus mourns the victims, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between goodwill initiatives and the responsibilities they entail.
