Experts clarify differences between crowd crush and stampede following Delhi train station tragedy

New Delhi: Experts distinguish between a crowd crush and a stampede. A crowd crush occurs when people are tightly packed, leading to suffocation. A stampede happens when individuals have space to run, often in response to fear. Recent incidents illustrate this difference. The 2022 Halloween tragedy in Seoul was labeled a crowd crush, while the 2024 Hathras temple tragedy and the 1990 Al-Muassim Tunnel disaster were classified as stampedes. Understanding these terms is important for assessing crowd safety. The recent tragedy at a Delhi train station highlights the need for improved crowd management strategies.