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The recent spate of stampedes in various parts of the country, which claimed the lives of 67 people, including 35 children, has raised concerns about the need for better crowd control measures.
The tragic incidents have led to an urgent call from public health experts, who noted that the deadly stampedes could have been averted with better crowd management and safety measures in place.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians also stressed the need for event organisers to provide adequate space, exit and entry points, and emergency services during large gatherings.
While pointing out that people with poor health conditions, chronic diseases, children and the elderly are at higher risk of complications in crowded environments, the health experts advised that everyone should avoid areas without crowd control measures.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that on Wednesday, 35 children died at a holiday funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, while on Saturday another 32 people were killed at two more stampedes in Anambra State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The country is witnessing a growing trend of local organisations, churches, and individuals providing palliatives, including food and money, to help people cope with the economic hardship caused by the high cost-of-living crisis.
It was reported that the stampedes occurred when crowds either rushed to the event location or scrambled to get their share of the palliatives.
Reacting to the recent stampedes and possible ways to prevent future occurrences, the public health experts said the country needs to adopt international best practices for crowd management, including providing spacious accommodation, gated entry, and multiple service points.
They stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns that focus on how to behave safely during large gatherings.
A public health expert at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Prof Tanimola Akande, identified a lack of crowd control mechanisms, inadequate space, panic conditions, struggle for items being shared, sudden infrastructure collapse, poor lighting, inadequate exit points, and false alarms as common causes of stampedes in large gatherings.
While noting that proper crowd control mechanisms are expected at large gatherings, the professor at the University of Ilorin lamented that many gatherings in Nigeria lack sufficient planning.
Akande, a former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, stressed the importance of anticipatory actions to prevent stampedes in large gatherings.
He noted that emergency responders need to be pre-informed about large gatherings and get well-prepared for the events.
The university don added, “Avoidance of crowded areas is subjective. Where inappropriate measures are not commonly put in place, virtually everyone should avoid such crowded areas since anyone can fall victim in case of a stampede. In addition, people with poor health conditions, chronic diseases, and children, elderly among others, should avoid crowded areas without crowd control measures.
“The common causes of stampedes in large gatherings include poor or lack of crowd control mechanisms, inadequate space, panic conditions, struggle for items that are being shared, sudden infrastructure collapse, poor lighting, inadequate exit points and false alarm, among other causes.
“Crowd control is very important in preventing stampedes. This should be well planned and prepared for. It should be part of anticipatory actions to prevent stampedes in large gatherings.
“Organisers of large gatherings for sharing food should seriously consider the physical and social environment in which this is to be placed. There is so much poverty in our nation, and therefore, such gatherings are often overcrowded. Therefore, deliberate efforts must be made to ensure the orderliness and safety of people. The food to be shared must be enough for the number of people planned for. Invitations for such events must be well planned such that safety concerns are also prioritised.
“The strategies for managing large crowds include adequate planning and preparedness that ensures adequate space and safety. There must be good plans for exit and entry points such that entry and exit are done orderly. It is desirable to use dividers and adequate personnel to control movement. Where possible, tickets should be used for entry. Adequate measures should be in place to take care of possible emergencies.”
When asked about some common injuries that could arise from stampedes, the physician stated, “It is common to have physical injuries like cuts, wounds, dislocation, fractures, and even head injuries. There can also be respiratory distress and choking, among others. Some victims may also suffer from exhaustion and heart attack. Psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Vulnerable people need to carefully identify large gatherings they can attend that are safe enough. They should avoid such gatherings knowing that effective measures are hardly in place in most of such gatherings in Nigeria.”
On his part, a professor of Community Medicine and Public Health, Prof Best Ordinioha, stated that the government needs to take a more proactive approach to addressing the root causes of stampedes.
Ordinioha maintained that stampedes could be prevented with proper planning, crowd control, and emergency preparedness.
The don noted that the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra are a wake-up call for Nigerians to take the safety of large gatherings seriously.
He described stampedes as a common response of mammals to a threat to life, borne out of a self-centred desire to escape danger, often at the risk of others.
“Crowd control is the most important measure in preventing stampedes. It is next to reassurances of no such threat to life.
“Stampedes are a common reaction to perceived danger, driven by a self-centred desire to escape, often at the expense of others’ safety. It is essential for event organisers to recognise this and put in place measures that can prevent such chaotic situations from arising,” he said.
To ensure the safety of attendees during palliative distribution events, Ordinioha suggested special provisions for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and pregnant women.
He advised that people with asthma and cardio-respiratory problems should avoid crowded areas.
“For food distribution events, organisers must ensure there is enough space and proper entry points. Multiple service points should be set up, and everyone should be assured that they will receive food in an orderly manner.
“The government needs to take a more proactive approach to addressing the root causes of stampedes. This includes providing adequate space, exit and entry points, and emergency services during large gatherings,” Ordinioha said.
