Malaysia stampede: Two elderly women die in crush at free food giveaway in Kuala Lumpur

Almost 1,000 people descended on indoor market in Kuala Lumpur for buffet meal vouchers

The coupons were being given out to pensioners to mark Chinese New Year (Getty Images)

Two elderly women have died during a stampede for free food coupons in Malaysia.

According to local reports, the women collapsed after more than 1,000 people arrived at an indoor market in Kuala Lumpur hoping to win one of 200 vouchers for a buffet meal.

Law Ion Nang, 78, and Ah Poh, 85, are believed to have suffered difficulty breathing while waiting at an event in the Pudu district of the Malaysian capital.

Attempts by paramedics to resuscitate the women failed and they died at the scene, police said.

A security guard told news outlet The Star that although only four people were allowed to go into the office at a time to register for the coupons, customers refused to comply and the scene descended into chaos.

"Those who were queuing ignored the directive and they began pushing each other,“ he said.

A management official at the complex said a total of four people collapsed during the rush to get the vouchers.

Officials have now launched an investigation.

Shaharuddin Abdullah, police chief assistant commissioner, said the bodies of both victims were found on the floor.

”We will investigate the cause of death and also whether the organisers had put in place sufficient safety measures,“ he told AFP.

The coupons were being given out to pensioners to mark Chinese New Year, which starts on 2 February.