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An Analysis of Mass Casualty Incidents in the Setting of Mass Gatherings and Special Events

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2014

Sheila A. Turris ,
Adam Lund  and
Ronald R. Bowles
Sheila A. Turris*
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Adam Lund
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Ronald R. Bowles
Affiliation:
Centre for Applied Research, Office of Applied Research and Graduate Studies, Justice Institute of British Columbia, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Sheila A. Turris, PhD, Central Health Center, Floor 6, 132 W Esplanade, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7M 1A2, Canada (e-mail: [email protected])
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Abstract

Objectives

Mass gatherings (MGs) and special events typically involve large numbers of people in unfamiliar settings, potentially creating unpredictable situations. To assess the information available to guide emergency services and onsite medical teams in planning and preparing for potential mass casualty incidents (MCIs), we analyzed the literature for the past 30 years.

Methods

A search of the literature for MCIs at MGs from 1982 to 2012 was conducted and analyzed.

Results

Of the 290 MCIs included in this study, the most frequently reported mechanism of injury involved the movement of people under crowded conditions (162; 55.9%), followed by special hazards (eg, airplane crashes, pyrotechnic displays, car crashes, boat collisions: 57; 19.6%), structural failures (eg, building code violations, balcony collapses: 38; 13.1%), deliberate events (26; 9%), and toxic exposures (7; 2.4%). Incidents occurred in Asia (71; 24%), Europe (69; 24%), Africa (48; 17%), North America (48; 27%), South America (27; 9%), the Middle East (25; 9%), and Australasia (2; 1%). A minimum of 12 877 deaths and 27 184 injuries resulted.

Conclusions

Based on our findings, we recommend that a centralized database be created. With this database, researchers can further develop evidence to guide prevention efforts and mitigate the effects of MCIs during MGs. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-7)

Keywords

mass gatheringsmass casualty incidentsdisaster planning
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 143 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2014 

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