AT least 23 Indonesians were crushed to death trying to collect $4.25 (€3) in cash handouts from a rich family at a charity event marking the Islamic holy month, officials said. Eight others were critically injured in the stampede.

At least 23 people were crushed to death today when residents of an eastern Indonesia town surged forward while waiting for 40,000 rupiah (€3) handouts from a rich family in an annual tradition, officials said.