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CHINA IS TODAY mourning the 36 dead from a New Year’s Eve crush on Shanghai’s famed waterfront, as the city government revealed the victims were mainly young women.
The incident was Shanghai’s worst since a fire in a high-rise residential building killed 58 people in 2010 and tarnished the commercial hub’s international reputation.
Around 100 people gathered in front of a statue of Shanghai’s first Communist mayor Chen Yi near the accident scene, some laying flowers in a government-approved show of mourning.
Relatives wailed uncontrollably at a funeral home where some of the bodies were taken, with one woman crumpling with despair almost immediately after coming out, family members holding her up.
One man from Jiangxi province said: “My son is in there, I can’t believe this happened.”
The youngest of the 32 fatalities identified so far is a 12-year-old boy, Mao Yongjie.
He became separated from his mother in the overwhelming flow of revellers, news magazine Caixin reported, and efforts by hospital staff to save his life failed. His mother spent New Year’s day crying until she passed out from exhaustion, Caixin added.
All but four of the dead on a list released by the city government today were aged 25 or under, and 21 were female. The oldest fatality was 37.
Shanghai residents were questioning why the city government did not control the crowds, though police said a “more than normal” 700-strong police force was present.
“The Shanghai government should take responsibility for the incident. Most of the young victims must be the only child of their families,” said taxi driver Xu Jianzhong.
Under China’s strict birth control regulations most couples are restricted to a single child.
University student Chen Xiaohang placed white chrysanthemums at the memorial site in memory of the sister of a high-school classmate who died.
“I feel very sad about this and I hope the government will offer better safety controls for events like this,” she told AFP.
Authorities at first removed flowers after the incident but later set up crowd barriers to allow them to be laid in a controlled area. On Thursday evening, mourners lit candles including an arrangement in the shape of a heart.
Internet postings and media reports initially blamed US dollar-like notes — actually promotional items from M18, a glitzy Bund nightclub — thrown from a building for setting off a scramble and causing the carnage.
But police said the “money” throwing occurred 12 minutes after and 60 metres away from the crush in a plaza.
“This happened after the stampede incident,” police said in a statement that cited surveillance video, adding it did not cause crowding pressure.
The number of injured was raised by two to 49 on Friday, the Shanghai government said on a verified microblog account.
- © AFP 2015.
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Witnessed the swords one myself, its terrifying in real life. Couldn’t sleep a wink after it. For all the site they deal with, the people who work on the front line are cut from a different cloth
Was there myself. Shocked at what was being passed off by some as first aid! Breathing yet unconscious individuals do not need chest compressions!!!
First Aid should be compulsory for all!
Emergency services where swift and brilliant!!!!
How many house fire deaths is that now in Oldcourt?
Tragic.
Way too many. There have been reports printed about those houses being death traps. I think 5 died in the late ’80′s(4 children) and certainly there have been 2 or 3 other serious fires there resulting in the poor residents losing their lives. Very sad.
The people of Bray now need to demand a full time Fire Service…. No excuses anymore.
Very sad news to wake up to. RIP.
Is there any reason given why wicklow (Bray) Fire Service, was not in attendance. Oldcourt is only a few hundred metres from Bray Fire Station.
they are in attendance Diver, my family live there. all emergency services are at the scene
Sorry Diver, that has been changed now. I had initially talked to the DFB about the incident but they have clarified it was Bray units at the scene.
Read the article, slowly.
DFB aren’t and weren’t there.
they we’re there and are still there! Stop gossip mongering!
I walked past the house this morning at 6.25 on my way to work, two massive fire engines, ambulance and countless Garda cars on scene! Stop commenting on things when you don’t have the facts!
Dublin Fire Brigage probably we’rent there…but Bray Fire Brigade certainly we’re and still are there.
Hi all, the first line has been changed now. I had initially talked to the DFB about the incident but they have clarified it was Bray units at the scene.
Thanks
Sinead
Bray fire. Not Dublin
Hi Brian, As I said earlier, that has been changed. I had originally talked to DFB so that’s where the confusion came from. It was changed to Bray units before 8am. Thanks!
@ Sinead O’Carroll. Looks like you have been blessed with a panel of experts on fire fighting and perhaps you could ask them for advice and suggestions ? Have they installed smoke detectors and CO alarms ? Where would they recommend placing some fire extinguishers ? Have they got a plan for getting the children and them selves out safely and quickly should they have a fire? Do they think that jumping out of a window is a good idea? Lots more to ask them while they are nit-picking headlines and minor details of on-going and breaking news.
@fognistical Brian Murray is a well respected fireman in Bray,and tragically today is also the anniversary of his fathers death,he passed away in the line of duty as a bray fireman. Thinking of all the Murrays and O Shaughnesseys today and also the Costigans
Bollox
That was a comment for fognostical!
Anyone know where exactly in Hollywell the fire occurred?
Holywell Way.
have your say