Love Parade organisers to face trial for stampede that caused 21 deaths

Love Parade festival organisers will stand trial for the stampede that caused 21 deaths at the event in 2010, a German court has ruled.

The incident, which saw more than 500 other people also injured, took place as thousands of attendees attempted to pass through a tunnel that served as the only entrance to the Love Parade in Duisburg, Germany. The event’s capacity was set at 250,000, but 500,000 were reportedly in attendance.

Ten people, including four of the event’s organisers and six municipal staff, will be brought to trial in the west German city on charges of manslaughter and negligence for the disaster.

The ruling overturned a previous decision from a lower court, which was taken due to lack of evidence, deeming that the case could be "proven with sufficient probability" based on current evidence. If convicted the defendants could each face up to five years in jail.

Duisburg courts will be responsible for setting the court dates. More to follow.

Rob McCallum is DJ Mag’s deputy digital editor. Follow him on Twitter here.