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10 go on trial over 2010 Love Parade stampede

The accused could face five years in prison if found guilty...

Ten people have gone to trial in Germany accused of negligent manslaughter and bodily harm after a stampede during the iconic music festival Love Parade left 21 people dead and over 600 injured in 2010.

The victims — 13 women and 8 men, and were aged between 18 and 38 — were from a host of different countries, including Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, China, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Spain.

The victims were crushed to death and suffocated when a panic and then a subsequent stampede broke out in a tunnel in the western city of Duisburg.

Four staff from an events company called Lopavent and six city officials have all been charged with negligent manslaughter and bodily harm.

Prosecutors believe that several mistakes occurred which lead to the stampede and they believe that safety measures were not fit for purpose.

The defence teams say that many factors contributed to the tragedy.

If convicted, the accused could face up to five years in prison.

The trial is expected to be concluded by 2020.