China's Public Safety Events: A Call to Action.

On the evening of December 31, 2014, a stampede in Shanghai’s Chen Yi Square killed 35 people and left 43 injured. A tragedy of this magnitude in such a large city sends shockwaves throughout the country, and many are struck with sorrow after the loss of 35 lives. In recent years, stampede accidents have occurred with greater frequency in China. In 2002 a stampede through a middle school in Inner Mongolia killed 21 students. In 2009 another stampede through a middle school in Hunan caused the deaths of 8 children. These stampedes have highlighted some major public safety issues in China, especially as they relate to policies surrounding public safety, safety education, psychological counseling, and regulation.