Shortly before the holiday period began, state leaders promised that the Year of the Monkey would see new measures introduced to make the mainland a safer place. The Lantern Festival disaster on Thursday night has demonstrated all too soon the need for swift and comprehensive action.
The tragedy which struck in Mihong Park, costing 37 people their lives, is particularly heartbreaking. This was the final day of the Lunar New Year, a time for celebration and companionship. Crowds gathered in the park to gaze at the paper lanterns. But when somebody stumbled on a narrow and overcrowded bridge, it started a stampede and people were crushed to death.
The circumstances bring back painful memories in Hong Kong. It is now 11 years since 21 young people died in similar circumstances during New Year celebrations in Lan Kwai Fong. That disaster led to an investigation, and improved crowd control measures have since been enforced. Such a process must now be undertaken on the mainland in an effort to ensure this cannot happen again.
State leaders have been quick to express their concern and Premier Wen Jiabao has promised a thorough inquiry. This is an encouraging step as there are many questions to be answered.
Grieving relatives have levelled a variety of allegations at officials, claiming negligence contributed to the disaster. Their anger and desire to blame someone are understandable but it is too early to say if their claims are merited. Some of the allegations, however, are disturbing. Perhaps the most serious is the suggestion that this was a disaster waiting to happen. People who attended the same festival last year say the bridge also became unbearably crowded then. But police were on hand last year to direct the flow of people and the danger disappeared.
Some witnesses claim the police were absent this year, an accusation officials have denied. But if crowd control measures were sufficient, we have to wonder how the tragedy could have occurred. This is a matter the inquiry must consider.
