Key Takeaways
- Dozens of people were injured in a crush in Doha suburbs after a New Year celebration.
- The incident occurred when a large crowd formed at the Doha subway station, with only families with children allowed to pass through.
- Police units were deployed to contain the crowd, and batons and whips were used to drive people away from fences.
Doha: Dozens of people were injured entering a subway station in Lusseil, a suburb of the Qatari capital of Doha, after New Year’s fireworks and concert, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Wednesday.
The Qatari government initially extended the celebration until 2:00 local time (23:00 GMT Tuesday), while the event at the country’s only designated New Year’s celebration venue concluded at 1:00 local time.
Many people rushed to the Doha subway station, causing a massive crowd to form at Lusseil Square and the station. Over 1,000 people were trying to enter the station before it closed.
The Sputnik correspondent reported that reinforced police units were attempting to contain the crowd and were beginning to use batons and whips to drive people away from fences that had been hastily erected to regulate the flow of people.
Along both sides of the subway passageway, individuals were seen lying or sitting, receiving treatment from doctors and paramedics, with additional ambulances continuously arriving at the station.
One pregnant woman expressed concern over the stress she was experiencing due to the overwhelming situation.
Despite the police announcement on loudspeakers near the subway encouraging people to wait and come later, the station remained overwhelmed with a large crowd. Only families with children were permitted to pass through.
