Los Olivos stampede
 The location of Los Olivos in Lima | |
| Date | 22 August 2020 |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Olivos District, Lima, Peru |
| Type | Stampede |
| Cause | Police raid |
| Deaths | 13 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 3 |
The Los Olivos stampede was a stampede that occurred in the Los Olivos District of Lima, Peru on 22 August 2020 after police raided the Thomas Restobar following an illegal gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru.[1][2]
Background
Peru was one of the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 576,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 documented by 23 August 2020, with over 27,000 deaths attributed to the virus up to that date.[1] To respond to the pandemic, the Peruvian government banned large gatherings and enforced a 10:00pm curfew.[1] Nightclubs were closed since March 2020 in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.[2]
Stampede
The Thomas Restobar nightclub had a gathering of over 120 people, with authorities beginning the raid of the premises at about 9:00 pm PET.[1][2] Peruvian authorities reported that no crowd dispersal agents were used by authorities and that panicked guests stampeded on the stairs from the second level when attempting to flee from the scene.[1][2] Police had to force the doors of the club open due to the amount of people crowding the exit.[2] At least thirteen people were killed and three injured during the event.[1][2]
Reaction
The Peruvian Ministry of Interior released a statement following the event, stating "The Ministry of the Interior profoundly regrets the deaths of 13 people as a consequence of the criminal irresponsibility of an unscrupulous business owner".[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g de la Quintana, Jimena; Silva, Daniel (23 August 2020). "At least 13 people die in stampede, as police raid club breaking coronavirus restrictions". CNN. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "13 Die in Peru Disco Stampede After Police Lockdown Raid". The New York Times. 2020-08-23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-08-23.
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