Not enough accountability for stampede in Shanghai

An apology from Shanghai's vice-mayor and the dismissal of three district leaders from their posts were the metropolis authorities' conclusive response to the tragic stampede at the Bund on New Year's Eve, which killed 36 people and injured another 49.

The investigation report that was released on Wednesday, 21 days after the tragedy, concluded explicitly that such a disaster could have been avoided as the local government should have anticipated a huge crowd and made careful arrangements for their safety.

The absence of any risk evaluation in advance, the untimely release of information about the change in activities, and the lack of a timely response to the rapidly growing size of the crowd are summarized in the report as the major causes for the tragedy.