A crowd can turn deadly in a moment. Large events like concerts, sports events, and festivals can attract large groups of people, and without the correct controls, these groups can get out of hand quickly, possibly leading to injuries or even deaths. When managing crowds at large events, consider both your entertainment insurance needs and safety measures.
Crowd Crushes and Stampedes
In 2021, 10 people died in a crowd crush at the Astroworld music festival. According to Houston Landing, before the deadly event, the event’s safety director had expressed concerns over the venue’s ability to handle the expected crowd of 50,000 people.
Imagine being trapped in the middle of a large crowd with no room to move. As the people around you press into you, you may not be able to breathe. It’s a terrifying scenario, but when large crowds are not controlled, this nightmare can become a reality.
According to WebMD, a stampede, crowd surge or crowd crush occurs when crowds exceed capacity or are poorly managed. While trampling deaths can occur, most fatalities are actually caused by a lack of oxygen when the crowd pushes against someone’s chest and makes it hard for that person to breathe, a condition known as compression asphyxia.
Stampedes or crushes can occur when the crowd begins to move and people who are pushed against each other begin to push and pull with the crowd formation. WebMD says common triggers include:
- Dangerous behavior from members of the crowd
- Overcapacity and bad crowd control
- Poorly planned venues, narrow spaces, or blocked exits
- Fire hazards
- Loose or dangerous structures
- Moving vehicles that share a space with pedestrians
Heat-Related Illnesses
In 2023, a 23-year-old concertgoer collapsed at a Taylor Swift concert in Rio de Janeiro. According to the BBC, the city was experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and post-mortem examinations have confirmed that the concertgoer died of heat exhaustion. The organizers have been criticized for prohibiting attendees from bringing water despite the extreme heat. Although only one person died, the Grist says more than 1,000 people fainted from heat exhaustion.
Heat-related illnesses can occur in groups of any size. However, larger crowds may pose greater risks. The combined body heat can add to rising temperatures, and people who need to cool down may have a harder time getting out quickly or finding water. Events that take place outside in extreme heat also expose attendees to intense sun exposure and a lack of air conditioning. According to the Grist, the deadly Taylor Swift concert took place in an open-air stadium.
Crime, Terrorism, and Violence
In 2017, a lone gunman opened fire on a music festival from a nearby hotel room in Las Vegas. According to NBC News, at least 59 people were killed and hundreds more were injured.
While mass shootings of this scale are rare, smaller incidents often plague concerts, festivals, sporting events, and other entertainment events. When entertainment events draw large crowds, they can also attract crime and violence. For example:
- Criminals may take advantage of the crowd to carry out theft and other crimes.
- Terrorists may target the crowd.
- A combination of large crowds and alcohol/drug consumption can lead to fights and other violence.
Do You Need Entertainment Insurance?
Putting on an event is a big responsibility. Attendees trust that you will take basic precautions to keep them safe. If you don’t, you could face expensive lawsuits as well as reputational damage.
- Do you have an experienced safety coordinator in charge of assessing and mitigating risks? Every large event has risks, and a safety expert can go a long way in controlling those risks.
- Do you have sufficient first aid and medical services? The larger the event, the greater the need for medical care.
- Do attendees have access to water and shade? Heat illness can be deadly, so attendees need a way to cool down.
- Is the venue large enough to hold the expected number of attendees safely? Overcrowding can lead to serious dangers, including crowd crushes.
- Are adequate crowd control measures in place, with protocols in case of a fire or other emergency event?
- Do you have sufficient security? Security can deter crime and also help with crowd control.
- Do you have sufficient entertainment insurance? If you’re hit with a lawsuit, you’ll want insurance that helps cover the legal costs.
Tangram offers insurance designed to meet the needs of businesses in the entertainment sector, including entertainers and sports and leisure companies. We provide special event liability insurance, venue, and tenant user liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance, and equipment and auto rental insurance. Learn more.
Caroline Dougherty
AVP, Sr KRE Underwriter
(P) 707-981-4366
