Stampedes

Stampede is a rapid, uncontrolled movement of a large crowd that can lead to trampling and severe injuries. It most often occurs at mass gatherings where people are densely packed or when an abrupt threat provokes emergency movement. The term is used broadly in everyday language, but safety professionals sometimes prefer “crowd crush” to emphasize the risk of compression rather than animal-like behavior.

Stampedes typically follow a triggering event—fire, loud noise, or alarm—that creates panic and a surge of flight. In dense crowds, bottlenecks at exits or narrow passages can rapidly convert small disturbances into a crush. High density, limited egress, and poor crowd management increase risk. When people push toward openings, compression can impede movement, causing trampling, blunt trauma, and suffocation. Heat, fatigue, and weather can worsen vulnerability.

Injuries range from minor to life-threatening; crush injuries, asphyxia, and blunt trauma are common fatalities. Immediate triage and rapid access to trauma care are critical. Survivors may face long-term physical and psychological effects, and events may suffer economic and reputational damage.

Prevention and management include risk assessment, venue design with adequate exits, multiple egress routes, barriers to regulate flow, and controlled pedestrian paths. Real-time monitoring, clear communication, and trained stewards help prevent incidents. Emergency action plans, staff drills, and post-event reviews support improvements. The goal is to maintain safe crowd density, minimize bottlenecks, and enable rapid, orderly evacuation.