Rush for Ikea vouchers kills 3 in S. Arabia

Three men were trampled to death in a rush to claim vouchers at the first Ikea furniture showroom in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, hospital officials said.

Sixteen shoppers were injured at the Sweden-based furniture store’s showroom in Jiddah. Medics revived some 20 customers who had fainted in the crush.

The stampede was triggered by an offer for the first 50 shoppers to received $150 vouchers. An official at Ikea’s Saudi agent said more than 70,000 people showed up at the store.

Hospital officials said two dead were a Pakistani and a Saudi national. Ikea is known for simple, reasonably priced products.