Family at MBS CNY drone show feared getting crushed by stampeding crowd when it rained

Update:

After the article was published, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) announced additional crowd-control measures for The Legend Of The Dragon Gate drone show.

An MBS spokesperson said: "As large crowds are anticipated for the upcoming drone shows, Marina Bay Sands will be deploying additional security personnel and activating our security plans for major events, such as New Year’s Day countdown, from tonight (Feb 11).

"We also urge members of the public to consider alternative viewing locations for the show, such as across the bay, as the 10-minute performance can be viewed across the entire 3.5km belt of the Marina Bay waterfront, with the iconic Marina Bay Sands building in the backdrop."

The spokesperson also advised those travelling by train to avoid overcrowding at Bayfront MRT by using other stations.

For more info, go to www.marinabaysands.com/campaign/lunar-new-year/faq.html.

Orginal article:

Was the drone show worth it?

A family at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Chinese New Year drone show on Feb 10 feared getting crushed by the stampeding crowd when it started to rain two minutes after the show started at 8pm.

Facebook user Carolyn Leo posted at 9.18pm that the wet weather caused "almost a disastrous stampede" as the crowd retreated indoors to avoid the rain.

"There were many children, disabled people in wheelchairs and old folks out there and they got pushed shoved and squashed in the crowd," said the post.

"My husband had to carry up my daughter and I have to forcefully make space in front of my son to avoid them being crushed."

Carolyn added in the comments: "My little one is traumatised by the entire ordeal."

Videos of the massive crowd at MBS that evening were posted online.

@akyrakwan #mbs #crowded #chinesenewyear2024 ♬ original sound - akyrakwan

A Redditor said: "It was packed like sardines. We were afraid of another Itaewon incident happening on our shores."

The crowd 4 to 5 hours earlier at Marina Bay Sands Shoppes.
byu/ivan_chua95 inSingaporeRaw

 

 

 

 

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Carolyn added sarcastically: "I love how Mothership reported it like it was an amazing successful event when people nearly crushed and died."

She said on Facebook: "I'm not gonna let this go. This involved my family and children."

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon, the drone show featured 1,500 synchronised drones along the Marina Bay Waterfront promenade and was the largest in Singapore to date.

The 10-minute show, named The Legend Of The Dragon Gate, will take place on five other days: Feb 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18.