Philippines: The Tragic Crowd
Written byJose Manuel Tesoro
After a stampede in a crowd waiting to get into a popular show turns deadly and kills over 70 people, Howie Severino asks: “One of its deadliest traits is we don't know how to manage crowds. We have overcrowded boats, overcrowded settlements, overcrowded riverbanks, overcrowded streets, with every person in those places for himself…” Observes Torn and frayed in Manila: “In a very Filipino touch, the victims’ cries for help were drowned out by the loud music.”
Written byJose Manuel Tesoro
1 comment
Crowd behavior has always been generally the same anywhere. Organizers must always expect problems and must allow for any eventuality. I wonder if the organizers were also prepared in the event that someone shouted “Fire!” or “Bomb!” I think the people behind the event should take full responsibility now and not wait anymore for an investigation. It’s their show, it’s their call, it’s their obligation to provide a safe environment for their audience.