How unlucky to be poor in developing countries such as Indonesia

23 dead in crush for $4 charity handout | NEWS.com.au

AT least 21 people were killed and scores more hurt when a crowd stampeded in Indonesia after about 10,000 people queued for a charity handout to mark the Muslim fasting month.

The crush happened in the East Java town of Pasuruan when a crowd of poor people were waiting for a donation, known as zakat, of 30,000 rupiah ($3.96) each from a wealthy family, the Antara state news agency said.

The Associated Press reported 23 fatalities.

Some people collapsed due to a lack of oxygen in the crush, while others were trampled, the report said, adding the injured were being treated in a nearby hospital.

Zakat, or alms, is obligatory for wealthy Muslims and usually paid before the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Many poor people in mostly Muslim Indonesia depend on these funds for several months.