A stampede apparently caused by the rush to grab coupons, which resembled 100 dollar bills, by revelers thronging a popular venue in Shanghai, has killed 36 people.
Witnesses said that the coupons were being emptied from the third floor of a building, in the riverside Bund area of China’s commercial capital.
The Chinese daily Global Times is reporting that bills had “M18,” the name of the bar in the area, printed on them. The newspaper quoted individuals on social media as saying that the bar owner demonstrated possession of the coupons prior to the incident.
The dead include 25 young women, in the 16-36 age group.
Relatives of the injured try to seek information from hospital authorities in Shanghai. Photo: AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that no efforts should be spared to treat those injured in the stampede. He added that a profound lesson should be learned from the incident, ahead of the upcoming festivals including the Spring Festival, or the Lunar New Year, which would be followed by the Lantern Festival. Millions of Chinese collectively participate in this string of festivities. Mr. Xi ordered thorough investigation into the cause of the stampede.
The Shanghai Daily is reporting that the venue or this year’s New Year festivities had been shifted to the Chen Yi Square near the Bund Origin area, apparently to limit crowds because of its relatively enclosed space. The annual 3D laser show had also been cancelled on account of crowd control concerns.
Last year, officials were caught off-guard when nearly 300,000 people turned up for the New Year countdown in the open space at the Bund, leading to traffic congestion.
