Recently on 5th November, an unexpected incident took place. During the Astroworld Festival held in Houston, Texas, the crowd surge led to the death of 9 people, with more than a hundred left injured. It was a tragic accident. Many concert disasters like this have taken place throughout our history. And some of them are more horrifying than this one, with a death toll of more than 100.
So, let’s check out 5 concert disasters worse than Travis Scott’s concert.
1. LOVE PARADE
One of Germany’s most well-known and largest music festivals faced a terrible disaster in 2010, which led to its permanent cancellation.
The parade was held in an enclosed space, with over a million people attending. There was a long tunnel with many underpasses adjacent to the tunnel. And between these underpasses, there was only one point for entry and exit to the festival. To avoid overcrowding, the police instructed the crowd to turn back.
But despite being told, so the crowd kept pushing, hurrying towards the entrance within the tunnel. Many tried to escape from the overcrowding tunnel through some narrow staircases. Many were being pulled up the stairs, and a few were hanging from it.
But then...people started falling down the stairs.
This later caused many to be trampled and left about 500 injured and 21 dead.
“I will never forget the sight. There were all these twisted-up bodies of those who had been crushed. They were lying at the tunnel exit. Their faces had all turned blue”, said a woman who was also in the tunnel at the time.
Petitions were signed accusing the police on sight and organizers of the event. Investigations and trials took place, which were discontinued later in May 2020.
“Out of respect for the victims, the Love Parade will never take place,” the organizers announced. But words are going around that funds are being raised to bring back the grand parade.
2. GHOSTSHIP
An old warehouse in Oakland was illegally turned into a collective artist venue with living spaces by Derick Almena. On 2nd December in 2016, a dance party was held on the illegally constructed 2nd floor when a fire broke out and took 36 lives. Since there were no fire detectors around, no one noticed or smelled any trouble. By the time they got the hint about fire, it was already late, and they were trapped.
What caused the fire is unknown. But recently, some investigators said that someone may have deliberately caused the fire.
Derrick was later charged for illegally turning a warehouse into a residence and event venue. He also stuffed the warehouse with a ton of flammable things and wire chords but not a single smoke detector and water sprinkler around.
3. INDIANA STATE FAIR
On 13th August in 2011, at the state fair, everyone was enjoying themselves, not knowing it might end badly for many people. Sugarland was going to perform at the fair, so the excited crowd was swarming around the stage. But while they were waiting, wind at a speed of 70 miles/hour gushed and hit the stage. The stage collapsed, crushing 56 people to death and leaving many others injured.
4. SANTIKA NIGHT CLUB
On 1st January 2009 in Bangkok, new year celebrations were at their peak, and the band “Burn” was performing. Suddenly a massive fire started, causing the crowd to panic.
There are many theories about how the fire started. Some say there were some electrical problems, while some say the crackers were burned outside the club. But till now, no confirmation on any of these theories has been heard by the investigators.
The things in this club which caused more casualties were many, such as just one fire extinguisher for the building and welded doors so no one could escape without paying. Only the main entrance was open. It is also said that the club had fake documents and never received any inspections as it was registered as a private residence.
About 66 people died, including tourists from Australia, Britain, France, and Singapore, and about 200 left injured.
Till now, only 4 people have been charged, but the case remains unsolved. Who started the fire? Was it intentional or an accident? This concert disaster is still a mystery.
5. REPÚBLICA CROMAÑÓN
This is another club with sealed exists to avoid people sneaking away without paying. In 2004 the club hosted a concert for the band Callejeros. About 3000 people were in the club, which was also 3 times more than the crowd size the club was made for.
Several doors were permanently locked shut, and the emergency exits were fenced. The fire started due to a pyrotechnic, which ignited in the corner of the ceiling and spread real quick, killing about 180 and about 200 casualties due to inhaling the smoke. It was also due to a month for its fire inspections and had no sprinklers.
The former manager of the nightclub, three City managers, and a band manager were jailed. The band members were acquitted of criminal responsibilities due to the fire caused by the fans’ fireworks. The club owner was also jailed for 20 years for bribery.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there is a sinister pattern between all these concert disasters. ALL of them are caused either due to preventable fires or due to irresponsible plans to control the crowds. Like really!? Closing all the other exits except one and expecting everything to go smoothly is just plain STUPID.
Now the question is, WHEN WILL WE LEARN? How many more people have to die before we take serious measures to prevent these concert disasters.
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