Introduction
Overview of the Incident: On July 2, 2024, a tragic stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of at least 121 people, predominantly women. This highlights the recurring problem of stampedes during large gatherings in India.
Recurrent Issue: Stampedes at religious gatherings are not uncommon in India, with 79% of such incidents from 1954-2012 occurring during these events.
Defining a Stampede
Definition by Wenguo Weng: A stampede is defined as “an impulsive mass movement of a crowd that often results in injuries and deaths.”
Description by Illiyas and Others: A stampede is the “disruption of the orderly movement of crowds… leading to injuries and fatalities,” often in response to perceived danger or the will to attain something gratifying.
Causes of Stampede-Related Deaths
Traumatic Asphyxia: Most deaths occur due to traumatic asphyxia, where external compression of the thorax and upper abdomen leads to cessation of respiration.
Other Causes: Additional causes include myocardial infarction (heart attacks), direct crushing injuries to internal organs, head injuries, and neck compression. Significant compression forces can be deadly even in moderate crowds.
Human Psychology and Stampedes
1. Mass Gatherings and Panic
Triggering Factors: Stampedes typically occur during mass gatherings, either spontaneous (like rush hour at a metro station) or planned (like the Hathras satsang).
Panic as a Catalyst: Panic often triggers or exacerbates stampedes. Psychologist Alexander Mintz theorized that in panic-inducing situations, cooperative behavior is needed for success, but once disturbed, cooperation ceases to be rewarding.
2. Theory of Collective Behavior
Neil J. Smelser’s Concept of ‘Craze’: In large groups, a positive wish-fulfillment belief can percolate, making individuals act against their interests. This was evident in Hathras, where people rushed to touch a preacher’s feet, leading to chaos.
Mintz’s Example: Taking the example of a fire emergency in a movie theatre, Mintz argued that while it pays to cooperate and not push each other, if a few uncooperative individuals block the exits by pushing, it leads to everyone pushing, causing a stampede.
Physical Organization and Stampedes
1. Design of Spaces
Preventative Measures: Better design of spaces where mass gatherings occur can prevent stampedes. Key factors include:
Adequate lighting
Divided crowd flows
Strong barriers and buildings
Clear evacuation routes and exits
Safe hardware design (e.g., avoiding revolving doors at entrances)
Managing crowd density to prevent panic and stampede risks
2. Dynamics of Crowd Movement
Unidirectional vs. Turbulent Stampedes: K M Ngai classifies stampedes based on crowd movement:
Unidirectional: Occurs when a crowd moving in one direction encounters a sudden change in force, like a bottleneck.
Turbulent: Happens in uncontrolled crowd situations or panic-induced environments.
Preventing and Mitigating Stampedes
1. Ideal Scenarios
Controlled Entries: Limit the number of people entering a contained space to manage crowd density.
Strategic Exits: Ensure adequate exits and real-time monitoring by event organizers to facilitate safe evacuation.
2. Inter-Agency Coordination
Collaborative Planning: Involves multiple agencies and disciplines to identify hazards and design mitigation measures.
Live Surveillance: Monitor crowd density, pressure buildup, and bottlenecks to manage crowd movements effectively.
3. Effective Communication
Inter-Organizational Coordination: Essential for event organizers from various bodies to communicate effectively.
Warning Systems: Establish clear protocols for issuing warnings and informing the crowd in case of emergencies.
Notable Deadly Stampedes
1. Moscow, Russia (1896)
Incident: Over 1,000 people died during Tsar Nicholas II’s coronation due to a crowd surge over rumored shortages of souvenirs.
2. Allahabad, India (1954)
Kumbh Mela Stampede: Lack of crowd control and poor planning led to a surge that caused around 800 deaths. This event remains foundational for managing the Kumbh Mela.
3. Lima, Peru (1963)
Football Match Riot: Police fired tear gas during a Peru-Argentina match, causing mass panic and the death of 326 people in enclosed stairways.
4. Wai, India (2005)
Mandhardevi Temple Stampede: Over 340 people were trampled to death during an annual pilgrimage due to slippery steps from broken coconuts.
5. Mina, Saudi Arabia (2015)
Hajj Pilgrimage Stampede: A clash of large groups of pilgrims led to over 2,000 deaths, despite official Saudi figures stating 769.
Case Study: Hathras Stampede
Event Details: The stampede occurred during a satsang gathering, where people rushed to touch the feet of a preacher and collect soil from where he walked.
Government Response: Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh highlighted the crowd's rush and subsequent stampede. The incident prompted calls for better crowd management and safety measures.
Conclusion
Understanding Stampedes: The Hathras incident highlights the multifaceted causes of stampedes, including human psychology, physical space organization, and crowd management.
Preventative Measures: Effective design, inter-agency coordination, and real-time monitoring are crucial to prevent such tragedies.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
UPSC CAPF and CSE Preparation: This article provides insights into crowd dynamics and disaster management, relevant for essay writing and current affairs.
Application to Multiple Exams: Knowledge of stampedes and their prevention is useful for exams like NDA, CDS, SSB Interview, AFCAT, IAS, and IB ACIO.
Current Affairs Importance: Understanding such incidents helps in grasping broader social and administrative challenges, essential for comprehensive exam preparation.
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