Members of the Quito Fire Department and the Ministry of Health treated the injured in the emergency that occurred at the Coliseum of the Gran Colombia School in Quito. Photo: Courtesy of the Fire Department.

It is possible to predict the suffering and death of people from stampedes, during concentrations in open and closed places, by controlling capacity, with multiple routes of entry, exit, evacuation, etc.

Consuelo Karina Merchán

After removing the bodies of the stampede victims, only the remains of clothes, shoes, etc. remain on the floor.

In events, places not only closed with doors such as stadiums, coliseums, discotheques, theaters, study centers, means of transport, etc., but open such as streets, squares…, with many people at a concert, social, cultural event , artistic, sports, political, civil, health…; it is enough for some to stumble, push, fall unconscious, be frightened by noise, shouts; because they were burnt from the ashes of pyrotechnic games, there is an alarm for a fire, an earthquake, an attack, a shooting, a fight…;, they suddenly rush to leave or enter a place and panic, disorder spreads; There are stampedes with injured and dead people. On Friday, February 10, at the school in Quito, at the exit of the student act where many people did not have the patience to leave the squeezing, hurting; they lacked oxygen, it caused them stress and they were transferred to health centers. The school treated 28 people who received first aid for shocks, drowning, low blood pressure, nervous disorders, etc. Event organizers must control attendance, distribute several exits and entrances according to capacity, orient via microphone where the audience should enter and where to withdraw gradually, without causing chaos. (OR)

Gonzalo Calero

I don’t like crowds, I always see in the media accidents of people being crushed by people in parades, bars, trains…

When I’m in a procession I’m at the end or in front of the car, if it’s disorganized I can run or run away. When I see a mass of people going up, down the stairs, a bus; go through the door, I hope it clears the people. On the plane, as soon as it lands, people stop at the door, they are restless, I stay where I am, I give time for free passage. (OR)

Victor Alonso Coello

Social media footage of Quito students passed out on the ground was heartbreaking, as there was a stampede at the exit of the campus’s coliseum in north-central Quito.

I also thought of the hundred or so young people killed, trampled, crushed against bodies and walls, in a narrow street in Seoul, during the Halloween celebration last year in South Korea. (OR)

Jose E. Ortoneda Sanchez

Apply very clear rules and sanction the irresponsible who allow riots in the crowd, in order to prevent injury and death of people as a result.

There must be a predisposition and a lot of will on the part of those who are in charge of order in places where crowds will be created, and with the help of the authorities, force them to fall into the proper order and respect that must exist at meetings of this nature, whether in stadiums or elsewhere, for the common good. places. Health and well-being are in prevention. (OR)