By THE IRRAWADDY
Twenty people are reported to have died when a Ferris wheel collapsed at a funfair during a festival marking the consecration of a replica Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, Burma’s new capital.
The disaster has so far been unreported in Burma’s official press. A Rangoon source said on his return from the Naypyidaw festival that it occurred last Wednesday, on the eve of the festival.
While ignoring news of the funfair disaster, the official press gave blanket coverage to the attendance at the festival of junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe and members of his family.
The regime daily The New Light of Myanmar reported that Than Shwe and his family donated a Buddha tooth relic to be placed inside the pagoda, which is known as the Uppatasanti, or "Peace Pagoda." The relic came from China, the newspaper said.
The consecration of the pagoda was marked by ceremonies hoisting its htidaw (sacred umbrella) and seinbudaw (diamond bud).
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