Following a proposal by German President Christian Wulff, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Tuesday pledged 1 million euros ($1.3 million) to a fund to help the victims of a stampede at the Love Parade music festival last month.

The funds are intended for relatives of the 21 people who died in the tragedy in Duisburg on July 24, as well as the more than 500 injured who spent days in the hospital afterwards. Charities have also set up a common bank account to collect donations.

The funds are in addition to 1 million euros provided last week by Love Parade organizer Rainer Schaller and an insurance company.

At the memorial service in Duisburg on Sunday, State Premier Hannelore Kraft promised victims and their families that the state would help them cut through any red tape in the aftermath of the tragedy.

To that end, state officials also decided Tuesday to appoint an ombudsman to help victims and their families liaise with insurance companies and other organizations.

Author: Martin Kuebler (dpa/Reuters)
Editor: Nancy Isenson