What Went Wrong
Common safety failures in crowd crush disasters.
Astroworld 2021: 10 Deaths • Itaewon 2022: 159 Deaths
These preventable tragedies share common patterns of organizational failures that create liability.
Failure to Monitor Density
Organizers failed to use crowd density monitoring systems. Warning signs like wave motion and difficulty breathing were ignored.
Exceeded Capacity Limits
Venues exceeded safe capacity to maximize ticket sales. Overcrowding is the primary cause of crush disasters.
Inadequate Security Staffing
Not enough trained security personnel to monitor crowd conditions and respond to developing crush situations.
Blocked or Insufficient Exits
Emergency exits blocked, locked, or too few for the crowd size. People couldn't escape when danger developed.
Poor Emergency Response
Medical teams couldn't reach victims. Emergency stops weren't called. Delay in recognizing the severity of the situation.
Ignored Prior Warnings
Many disasters occur after earlier near-misses or warning signs. Organizers failed to learn from previous incidents.