Beijing parks told to limit admissions
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-09 14:08

Government officials in Beijing have told local parks to limit admissions to avoid stampedes, with huge numbers of visitors expected over the Lunar New Year holidays, state media reported.

Last year a bridge stampede in a park in surburban Beijing during the Lunar festival killed 37 people after a tourist tripped, triggering a chain reaction.

From Wednesday Beijing will hold 140 large-scale outdoor celebrations, including traditional temple fairs, at its major parks.

"Measures must be taken to control visitors' numbers and to ensure the smooth flow of people in case any emergency evacuation is needed," said Ji Lin, the city's vice-mayor.

Ji said all parks must have loudspeakers to inform visitors of any possible dangers.

"We should learn a lesson from the tragedy," he said of the bridge stampede last year.

The park, in Miyun county on the outskirts of Beijing, has decided to cancel a popular lantern show and will arrange a handwriting exhibition instead, Xinhua news agency reported.

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