The Deadliest New Year's Celebration in the World

A night of celebration turned into a nightmare in Shanghai’s Bund district on New Year’s Eve in 2014, when a massive stampede left 36 people dead and 49 injured. What caused the deadly crush, and could it have been avoided?

A Night of Celebration Turns Deadly

On Dec. 31, 2014, a massive crowd gathered at Shanghai’s Bund district to ring in 2015. Unaware that a planned light show had been canceled, throngs of revelers converged on the iconic riverfront area.

At 11:35 p.m., as some attempted to leave and others surged forward, the sheer density of the crowd created a crush that spiraled out of control. The deadly stampede ended up killing 36 people and injuring 49 others. Most victims were in their 20s, with the youngest just 12 years old.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene. English tourist Rebecca Thomas told the BBC, “CPR was being given to 10-15 people in the street by loved ones whilst police stood by and watched.”

Social media reports suggested the chaos may have worsened when fake money was thrown from a nearby nightclub balcony and people stopped to pick it up, though authorities never confirmed this claim.

Investigators Point Fingers

An investigation blamed local officials in Shanghai’s Huangpu district for underestimating the crowd size and failing to allocate adequate security resources. By midnight, more than 310,000 people had converged on the Bund, yet fewer than 600 officers and security personnel were on duty. Officials were accused of being “ill-prepared” and of “mishandling” the aftermath, according to CNN.

A girl mourning for the victims. Photo by fayhoo Galaxyharrylion under CC0 1.0.

As a result, three top district officials, including the Communist Party boss and the district police chief, were fired.

Public Outcry and Government Response

Public anger mounted following the tragedy, with many questioning how such an event could happen. President Xi Jinping demanded a full investigation, urging officials to address public safety failures. Across China, authorities canceled large gatherings, including concerts and shopping festivals, to prevent further incidents.

Shanghai’s Current New Year’s

Since this tragedy a decade ago, Shanghai has implemented significant changes to its New Year’s celebrations, focusing on safety and organized festivities. Last year’s holiday showcased these improvements, drawing 7.18 million tourists over the three-day New Year’s celebration to ring in 2024 - up 16.27% from the previous year, according to the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism.

The 2014 Shanghai New Year’s Eve stampede shook the city and left the world stunned. With 36 lives lost and dozens injured, it remains a chilling reminder of how quickly celebration can turn into chaos.

References: Shanghai new year crush kills 36 | Shanghai New Year’s Eve stampede ‘totally preventable’ | Millions of tourists celebrate New Year in Shanghai