New | Youths who shouted warnings in Shanghai New Year stampede hailed as heroes
Group of youngsters shouted to warn crowds of the danger and to clear the area on the Bund
A group of young people who tried to stop the riverside stampede in Shanghai on New Year’s Eve that killed 36 people have been praised on social media in China, with internet users saying their actions saved many lives.
A video has been widely shared online showing youngsters shouting to people crowding to see a light show on the Bund to “Go back” and waving their hands to signal to New Year revellers to move away from the area.
Watch: Young heroes save lives during New Year's Eve stampede in Shanghai
One of the young people, who identified himself only as Xiaojun, said he and three friends were on the viewing platform overlooking the river where the crush occurred, the Xinmin Evening News in Shanghai reported.
They saw people were pushing backwards and forwards as they tried to get to the platform and realised that people may have fallen.
“We saw several people standing around us yelling “Go Back”,” he said, and others joined in trying to warn people of the danger.
“There were about 10 people shouting. We didn’t know each other.”
Another of the youngsters climbed over a handrail and shouted: “Please let people come down. It’s dangerous.”
A lane was then formed in the crowd so people could get to safety, Xiaojun said.
Many mainland online users praised the behaviour of Xiaojun and the other spectators who helped restore order.
“This is a simple act, but it saved people from danger. These kids have done an excellent thing,” one person wrote on their social media account.
Another said: “I’m touched to see such behaviour.”
Xiaojun brushed off suggestions that his actions deserved praise.
“I did the right thing at the time. It was nothing,” he said.