Clinical Analysis of the Stadium Stampede in Sang-ju, Korea

Lee, Kyung Won

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review data from the stadium stampede that occurred October 3, 2005 at Sang-Ju Civil Stadium in Sang-Ju, Korea and to evaluate the local emergency medical service system with respect to disaster medicine preparedness.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed medical records obtained from the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems of Sang-Ju St. Mary Hospital and Sang-Ju Red Cross Hospital. In addition, we interviewed firefighters and paramedics from Sang-Ju Fire Station and doctors from Sang- Ju St. Mary Hospital and Sang-Ju Red Cross Hospital.
RESULTS
The stampede occurred at 17:41 on the October 3, 2005 when approximately 5,000 people tried to enter a gate at the Sang-Ju Civil Stadium to attend a Korean pop singers' concert which was part of the Sang-ju Bicycle Festival. The total number of patients was 159, of which 26 were male (16.4%) and 133 were female (83.6%). Eleven (6.9%) died, 110 (69.2%) were hospitalized, and 38 (23.9%) were discharged. The average age of the patients was 50.1 years old and the average hospital stay was 12.2 days. The average RTS (Revised Trauma Score) was 10.14.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that the local community and government emergency medical system is limited in its ability to manage disasters of large magnitude. Therefore, a local interagency systemized disaster plan involving local government, police, fire stations, and hospitals must be prepared and drills must be conducted in preparation for the handing of potential disaster at large events.