There will always be some level of risk when it comes to
managing crowds at large events. Most of the time, events are held without any
major issues. But occasionally we’re faced with large events that end in
disaster, with lives lost and everyone asking what we could have done better.
These tragedies force us to examine crowd control policies
to determine what can be done better to avoid such large disasters in the
future.
The Hillsborough
Disaster of 1989
What Happened: During
the FA Cup semi-final match 96 people were crushed to death as crowds attempted
to enter the stadium. A bottleneck developed at the turnstiles. In response,
the police commander opened an exit gate, allowing even more people inside and
crushing the people at the front against the perimeter fencing. Many of those
who died did so due to compressive asphyxia.
What We Learned: Event
organizers and police need to be better trained in handling overcrowding.
Within a closed space there must be capacity limits. Staff of events must
direct patrons on where to go to prevent overcrowding. In the event of an
emergency there must be clear announcements and communication between staff to
prevent further issues.
Hajj Tragedies
What Happened: The
Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca has led to multiple incidents resulting in the loss
of life. Most commonly are crowd crushes and progressive crowd collapses.
Stampedes have also led to individuals being crushed to death. The most recent
incident occurred in 2015, when two groups of pilgrims converged, causing a
massive crush that left over 1,000 dead.
What We Learned: For
massive events such as Hajj, redesigning the event space can help to prevent
such tragic events. By preventing bottlenecks the pressure in different event
spaces can be spread out. There also needs to be increased security with staff
to direct attendees appropriately.
Love Parade Music
Festival 2010
What Happened: 21
people died when too many people became packed into too small of a space
without enough exit routes. Miscommunication and a lack of information were two
factors in how the tragedy unfolded. The tunnel, used as both the entrance and
exit, became overpacked.
What We Learned: Events
must hire enough staff to meet event demands to control the flow of traffic. Adequate
entrances and exits must exist to prevent this type of crowding.
Indiana State Fair
Stage Collapse
What Happened: A
severe thunderstorm moved into the area where crowds had gathered to watch a
concert. Despite being aware of the incoming storms, officials didn’t initially
plan to cancel the show. As an announcer took to the stage to finally announce
the show was cancelled, a gust of wind hit the stage, which collapsed. The stage landed on spectators, killing 7 and
injuring 58.
What We Learned: Structures
at events must always be inspected to ensure they meet safety standards.
Potentially dangerous weather conditions must be closely observed, with
adjustments to the event being made far in advanced. Clear communication and a
line of authority should be put in place so decisions about unsafe situations
can be made swiftly.
These types of crowd disasters can be prevented with the
right planning, staffing, and crowd control products. Make sure to keep these
lessons in mind when planning your next event.
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