Mass control in disrepair: « Mild that no one died »

Basic thinking was missing from mass management at the planning of FM95BLÖ’s fortification party in Laugardalshöll over the weekend. There was a big danger on trips and the greatest mild that no one died.

This is stated by Böðvar Tómasson, a construction and fire engineer and managing director of a secure engineering firm. He has provided advice in connection with a major concert in Iceland with performers such as Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Guns N ‘Roses, Rammstein and Ed Sheeran.

About 15 people need care at the Landspitali emergency room after the concert, including one was admitted after being in the trampling and fractured.

Came as a very surprise

« It came as a surprise to me that this should happen now, » says Böðvar. He points out that a strong framework has been around security and organization of most of the concerts that have been going on in recent years and the concerts he has performed.

« What seems to have happened there is that there is a lack of basic thinking in population management, » he adds, given the opinion of the organization of the concert.

A long queue was formed for the concert.

Photo/Hafsteinn Snær Þorsteinsson

« No thought »

He explains it so that it is not enough to have a number of people on a security watch, but need to define, possibly calculate and manage the entire process around the concert, from before they start, while they stand, what happens and how the flow is within the concert area with regard to what is happening.

« It has to be thought of this in one thing, right to the end. What is absolutely obvious in this is that it was really in principle no thought behind these issues, » says Böðvar, saying that the concert holders have either not had experience or understanding of how overall security

Böðvar Tómasson.

mbl.is/eythór

People died in such a situation

« We have numerous examples around the world where people have died in exactly such a situation, whether they are in the field or in areas where it is going in between, » Böðvar reports.

He points out that there is a lot of scholarship behind how to direct a large concert and how the situation and actions should be on site. For example, he mentions how people are let in and how information is communicated to concert guests.

Ponders of permits

Böðvar also believes that the grounds must be investigated for a permit for concerts like this, as all knowledge seems to be missing from population management. A comprehensive review must be carried out there. He mentions that Laugardalshöll, concert holders, licensors and public bodies need to undergo umbilical examination on how things could go wrong as they did.

Prettyboitjokko took the song at the concert.

Photo/Hafsteinn Snær Þorsteinsson

The risk lies in the deviations

Ísleifur B. Þórhallsson concert holders was hardworthy a concert holders in an interview with mbl.is yesterday and pointed out a number of things that could go better, including the power of the concert hall in a compartment where the outdoor area followed each one. He also mentioned increased security and better ventilation for such a large population.

Police car outside Laugardalshöll.

Photo/Hafsteinn Snær Þorsteinsson

Böðvar says Ísleif has made many important points, but says the case is even bigger than stated in the interview with him.

« In order to ensure security, both the implementation and the organization need to be OK and thought of the overall point of this event. Therefore, it is precisely related to practical and real issues that are on site, » he says, mentioning both the organization, consultation and communication with the event.

Auddi and Steindi.

Photo/Hafsteinn Snær Þorsteinsson

Thinking seems to have been missing how to respond if something went wrong.

« It is very easy to think about security and think that everything is OK and little risk if nothing goes wrong and everything is within the framework that people expect and hope.

More demands need to be made for those who take responsibility for directing such a big concert, as the risk is extremely high. Very in many parts of the community, a pot is broken because the risk of events like this is extremely trivial.