What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
However, a last-second goal sent fans rushing back into the stadium where they were met head-on by people descending into the tunnel. As more and more people continued descending, panic ensued and hundreds of people were trampled to death as they got trapped and pushed down in the dark tunnel.
Sources: (Listverse) (CNN)
See also: The most famous kidnappings in history: where are they now?
In order to access the enclosed area where the festival was held, people had to pass through tunnels and underpasses.
During World War II, many people would take to the underground subway stations during bomb raids. The Bethnal Green subway station in east London, England, would be the location of a tragic disaster on March 3, 1943. Pictured: the station a few years after the disaster.
The resulting domino effect of people falling down the stairs and the crowd continuing to push in behind them caused 300 people to get crushed in the stairwell, leaving 173 of them dead.
Someone allegedly let out a false cry of "fire!," causing a panic as people tried to escape the building.
In Calumet, Michigan, United States, on December 24, 1913, over 500 people attended a Christmas Eve party at the Italian Hall during a struggle for workers' rights.
The rush to get through the small, narrow exit left 73 people, including 59 children, dead.
A nearby explosion caused the hundreds of people descending into the station to panic and push down the stairs to take shelter.
Excitement was high for the African Cup of Nations soccer match between Cameroon and Comoros on January 24, but it resulted in a terrible tragedy when huge crowds struggled to get access to Olembe Stadium. A reported eight people died and 40 injured.
Witnesses to the crush said it happened when stadium stewards closed the gates and stopped allowing people in. According to soccer officials, around 50,000 people had tried to attend the match, and though the stadium has a capacity of 60,000, it was only allowed to be 80% full due to COVID-19 restrictions.
During Seoul's Halloween weekend on October 28, 2022, thousands of partygoers crammed into the narrow streets of the South Korean capital's nightlife district, Itaewon, to enjoy the first unmasked Halloween celebration since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. Eyewitnesses say that the streets became so packed that it was like being on a subway train during rush hour. It became almost impossible to move around some panicked attendees reportedly began pushing and shoving to get out. What ensued was a deadly crowd surge that killed more than 100 young people. Some were even seen attempting to climb up the buildings to escape.
Around 10:30 pm local time, police began to receive word of an emergency situation but struggled to access the injured people due to the crowd's density. As the situation unfolded over the following hours, it became clear that a massive loss of life had occurred in the streets of Itaewon. The official death toll reached 159, and at least 196 more were injured. The majority of the deceased were in their teens or 20s. The country was left reeling from one of the most devastating events in its history.
More than 50 people are feared to have died, following a stampede that was caused by fans at a football match in Guinea, on December 1.
The incident occurred in the south of Guinea during the final of a tournament being held in honor of the country's military leader Mamady Doumbouya. The match was taking place between Labe and Nzerekore, and the trouble occurred when fans contested a referee's decision over a goal. It has been reported that stones were thrown and supporters began to clash, leading to a stampede. Videos have been posted online of people climbing over walls and lying on the ground. So far it is believed that at least 56 people have died, with children thought to be among the victims.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time a stampede has led to such casualties. Click through this gallery to learn about some of the most tragic stampedes to ever occur.
Over 50 feared dead following soccer stadium stampede in Guinea
The incident occurred after fans clashed over a disputed goal
LIFESTYLE Human stampede
More than 50 people are feared to have died, following a stampede that was caused by fans at a football match in Guinea, on December 1.
The incident occurred in the south of Guinea during the final of a tournament being held in honor of the country's military leader Mamady Doumbouya. The match was taking place between Labe and Nzerekore, and the trouble occurred when fans contested a referee's decision over a goal. It has been reported that stones were thrown and supporters began to clash, leading to a stampede. Videos have been posted online of people climbing over walls and lying on the ground. So far it is believed that at least 56 people have died, with children thought to be among the victims.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time a stampede has led to such casualties. Click through this gallery to learn about some of the most tragic stampedes to ever occur.