South Korea Halloween Horror: How to save yourself during a stampede
A large gathering event can turn into a tragedy if not managed properly. At least 151 people were killed and over 100 were injured in a stampede during a Halloween celebration in South Korea's Itaewon on October 29.
From Travis Scott's music festival in US to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir or the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, cases of crowd crushes have been rising lately. From watcing movies, we have this false impression that we might get crushed and die, but the reality is most people die due to suffocation in these large crowds.
So, here are some practical steps that might help you to get out of a stampede or a stampede-like situation:
Don't panic: I know, it is inevitable to panic during a situation like this, but saving your energy is important. It would help you in figuring out the best possible way out of it. If you panic you are getting your mind to get into a zone, which may not allow you to figure out your way out.
Be prepared: The best way to survive a stampede is to assess your surroundings long before the stampede happens. Make sure you know where all the exits are if you're attending a large event. This might include knowing where the fire exits and rear entry exits are if you are going to a club or packed concerts. Identify alternative exits, such as accessible windows, in addition to the exit doors.
Find a cover for yourself: Find a safe place, which might be on a little higher ground. It can be: a pedestal, a podium, or trees. If the danger is just the stampede, not earthquakes or fire, look for covers that might help you get separated from the crowd.
Go with the Flow: If you cannot follow space for step 3, just follow one simple step: go with the crowd. Do not rush your way by walking against the crowd or being resistant towards the crowd. This may cause unnecessary friction and tension between you and the crowd, which may increase the chance of you getting crushed.
Hands up: Might sound a little silly, but do what boxers do. Keep your hand up in the same position as the boxers keep. This will help you to make space between yourself and other people in the crowd. Also, you can gently, I repeat gently, move other people with your hands if they are in your way.
Don't move towards narrow areas: Getting yourself to a staircase, a lift or a cupboard might seem like an easy option, but it might be dangerous. If a good number of people get accumulated in a small place it can let get suffocated.
Bottom line: Conserve your energy and do not scream and cause panic for yourself and others.
What happened in South Korea?
Recap October 30, 2022: Going down as one of the worst disasters in South Korea, At least 151 people died in Saturday's tragic stampede.
Most of the victims were teenagers and there were more women among the dead than men. Officials say there are 26 foreign nationals among the deceased. Six school students, as well as three teachers and three members of the South Korean armed forces were also killed, the country's education and defence ministries said.
Cause: Even though the exact cause is not clear yet, one of the possible reasons can be the ratio between the police officers and the people present. According to the Independent, National Police Commissioner General Yoon Hee-Keun admitted that crowd control measures at the scene in Itaewon were "inadequate", adding that he feels "limitless responsibility about public safety" over the stampede.