Multiple paramedic interventions occurred during the Techno Parade in Berlin. - Numerous paramedics were on duty at the Techno-Parade event in Berlin
The annual "Rave The Planet" techno parade in Berlin's Tiergarten attracted an estimated 200,000 revellers on Saturday evening, according to a police spokesperson. However, the event was not without incident, with several hundred patients treated by medical services and over 50 hospital transports carried out by firefighters.
The crowd-related incidents were primarily due to overcrowding in confined spaces and crowd crush incidents, a issue that has been a concern at such events in the past. In 2010, a tragic crowd crush in a tunnel during a Berlin Techno Parade resulted in the deaths of 21 people and injuries to around 500 others, underscoring the severe risks associated with high-density gatherings at these events.
To address these issues, organisers and medical services implement several measures. These include strict crowd control management to avoid overcrowding, especially in potentially hazardous areas such as tunnels or narrow streets. On-site medical assistance is also provided, with trained personnel ready along the parade route and at key locations to provide immediate care for injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Event staff, including those at iconic venues related to the techno scene, are noted to be friendly and caring, sometimes giving newcomers advice on safety. Official coordination and communication are also key, with the parades having clear start and end times, designated areas, and themes promoting community and peaceful celebration, which helps maintain orderly conduct and reduces risks.
Despite these measures, crowd disasters remain a rare but concerning occurrence. The tragic past highlights the importance of continuous improvement in crowd safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and public awareness to prevent injuries and fatalities at such large-scale techno events in Berlin.
Initial statements from the event organisers regarding this year's techno parade have not been provided. Last year, around 300,000 people attended the techno parade, and medical services reported around 600 rescue deployments. Firefighters also treated several hundred people at the event.
[1] Source: The Guardian, "Berlin techno parade tragedy: 21 dead in crush at Love Parade", 25 July 2010,
The Commission, with its focus on health-and-wellness and science, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation during these large-scale techno events, given the past tragic incidents and the ongoing concerns about crowd safety. Regular fitness-and-exercise routines could potentially help emergency responders and medical staff better manage the physical demands of such events.
