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At least 35 killed in Shanghai stampede

December 31, 2014

Dozens have lost their lives during New Year's celebrations in China's commercial hub, Shanghai. More than 40 have been injured. Officials have said the cause of the stampede is still under investigation.

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Shanghai police at the scene
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

New Year's celebrations in Shanghai took a tragic turn when 35 people were killed in a stampede during festivities marking the end of 2014.

The accident occurred about half an hour before midnight on Wednesday at the crowded Chen-Yi square along Shanghai's famous Huangpu riverfront.

The plaza at the Peace Hotel in the Bund district is one of the most famous viewing platforms for the celebrations, and crowds had gathered to welcome the new year when panic broke out for unknown reasons.

According to official news agency Xinhua, a witness said what appeared to be US dollar notes were thrown from a third-floor window, starting a scramble.

Officials have said the cause of the stampede is still under investigation.

'Suffocating and desperate'

"I felt I was suffocating and desperate," wrote one poster on Sina Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter, according to Agence France Presse.

Celebrations had been specifically moved to a new location this year in an effort to address concerns about overcrowding.

mg/cmk (dpa, AP, AFP)