Why in the News?

Recently six people lost their lives in a stampede in Tirupati while waiting to collect tokens for Lord Venkateswara’s darshan.

Why do stampedes take place?

Stampedes are chaotic and uncontrolled movements of large crowds, often triggered by panic or an urgent rush to move in a confined or crowded space.

Venues that exceed their safe capacity can lead to dangerously crowded conditions. When too many people gather in a confined space, the risk of a stampede increases significantly.
Inadequate planning and lack of effective crowd control measures, such as clear exits and designated waiting areas, can exacerbate the situation. Poor organisation often leads to confusion and panic among attendees.
Narrow pathways, obstacles, and poorly designed event spaces can create bottlenecks during emergencies. These barriers make it difficult for people to move freely and can trap crowds, increasing the risk of crush injuries.

Panic Response: Panic can spread rapidly through crowds, causing individuals to act irrationally. When one person begins to push forward out of fear or urgency, it creates a domino effect where others follow without understanding the situation.
External Triggers: Events such as loud noises, sudden movements, or perceived threats (like a fire or an emergency) can trigger panic responses in crowds, leading to stampedes.
Psychological Factors: Theories of collective behaviour suggest that in large groups, individuals may act against their own interests when panic sets in.
- For instance, the desire to escape a perceived danger can override cooperative behaviour, leading to chaotic pushing and shoving.

Narrow Exits and Blocked Pathways: Limited exits and narrow pathways can create bottlenecks during emergencies, making it difficult for individuals to evacuate quickly.
- When a crowd is forced to funnel through a small area which leads to panic and chaos, increasing the likelihood of a stampede as people rush to escape.
Poorly Designed Crowd Flow: Spaces that do not effectively manage crowd flow can exacerbate congestion.
- Suppose different groups of people converge at the same point without clear guidance or separation that can lead to confusion and a surge of movement, triggering stampede conditions. Effective crowd management strategies are essential to ensure smooth movement.
Inadequate Lighting and Visibility: Insufficient lighting can disorient attendees and hinder their ability to navigate the space safely. In low-light conditions, individuals may struggle to see exits or understand the crowd dynamics, leading to increased panic and disorder during critical moments, which can precipitate a stampede.

Effective Crowd Management: Limit crowd size through pre-registration, schedule staggered entries, and organise queues with barriers and clear signage. Use real-time monitoring tools like CCTV and AI-based systems to manage crowd density.
Improved Infrastructure and Emergency Readiness: Design venues with wide pathways, multiple exits, and clear evacuation routes. Provide on-site medical facilities and train staff in crowd control, first aid, and emergency response.
Public Awareness and Technology Use: Educate attendees on safety protocols, and use digital tools like online ticketing and mobile alerts to prevent physical queues and guide the crowd calmly during emergencies.