Here is a look at the five most dangerous annual public celebrations.
Thai New Year (Songkran)
The occasion is so popular it attracts half a million visitors annually over the span of a few days. It is extremely popular for its wild street parties and water fights and yet it is also known as the ‘Seven Days of Danger’.
According to the deputy permanent secretary for the Public Health Ministry, 25,516 people injured in road crashes had received treatment at public hospitals during the Songkran period, according to the Bangkok Post.
A total of 25,516 people were injured within just six days. It’s completely astounding!
Nonetheless, tourists are apparently undeterred by this, with the celebrations serving as a huge cash flow for Thailand, generating more than 15 billion baht ($557 million) for the tourism sector this year.
Fourth of July
The combination of alcohol, fireworks and driving can be a recipe for disaster. While many Americans tend to celebrate America’s independence day in their own backyards, the US National Safety Council (NSC) has gone as far as naming the Fourth of July the most dangerous holiday of the year.
The number of traffic fatalities rises tremendously due to intoxicated drivers on the road. In 2014, about 203 traffic fatalities and another 10,600 nonlethal debilitating injuries on the nation’s highways were registered.
The alarming number suggested that as many as three million teen drivers who are either intoxicated or have consumed marijuana take to the road on this day.
Injuries especially to children caused by improper use of fireworks are exclusive to this particular holiday and are quite common. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 9,600 fireworks related injuries were estimated to have occurred during the Fourth of July holiday in 2011.
Mad Friday
London and most of the streets all across the UK become one of the booziest, busiest and most dangerous on the night of ‘Mad Friday’.
The dramatic increase in public drunkenness and offenses as emergency services are strained to their limits are seen on a peak night for office parties and Christmas celebrations all across the UK.
The night turns dangerous as alcohol abuse leads to emergencies that reach an estimated 50 percent on the night.
In 2015, the London Ambulance Service estimated it responded to 700 alcohol-related injuries on Mad Friday. Alcohol abuse also increases street offenses, fights and harassment.
Extra police officers were drafted in for the night across the UK to deal with any outbreaks of violence. Injuries and fights are so common that the night is also jokingly referred to as “Black-eye Friday.”
Annual Hajj Pilgrimage
Over two million people visit Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to celebrate the Muslim religious holiday of Eid al-Adha each year.
Mina valley is the site of a traditional ‘stoning-of-the-devil’ ritual, performed as part of the annual Haj pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia. It is considered a dangerous event due to the enormous crowds that often produce bottlenecks around the holy site.
Last year the stampede killed over 1,000 pilgrims.
Mecca has suffered several similar stampede accidents in the past, as well. On July 2, 1990, a crush inside a tunnel from Mecca to Mina claimed the lives of 1,426 pilgrims, remaining the most violent incident to date. The latest major stampede occurred in 2006 killing at least 346 and injuring 289 people.
Some 4,000 rescuers and over 220 ambulances were sent to handle the tragedy.
