Shanghai stampede deaths

This item appears on page 20 of the February 2015 issue.

In Shanghai, China, more than 30 people were killed and at least 49 injured when more than 300,000 people celebrating New Year’s Eve in Chen Yi Square, on the Bund waterfront, panicked and caused a stampede.

At least 500 police officers on duty in the square were unable to control the crowd, which was larger than anticipated and so packed that people could not move, according to China National Radio. 

Shanghai police stated that the rush began on a staircase leading to a viewing platform when the mass of people prevented anyone from moving up or down, causing some to jump off the side into the crowd.