Censors suppress Shanghai stampede coverage as blame game begins
Local media sources say unprecedented tough controls imposed on news of the tragedy
Shanghai authorities have brought down a wall of strict censorship on local coverage of Wednesday night's deadly stampede, as questions mount over how such a tragedy could have occurred in the mainland's wealthiest and best-managed city.
Local sources said the censorship was "unprecedented and harsh" and officials were worried that they could be blamed for the stampede that killed at least 36 people.
A police source said many Huangpu district officials and police were likely to lose their jobs over the incident.
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Huangpu police admitted on Thursday that they underestimated the number of people showing up on the Bund, deploying fewer officers for the event than were needed.
"A lot of heads will roll" because the tragedy had infuriated state leaders, according to the senior police source.
The stampede happened at 11.35pm at Chen Yi Square in the Bund area, one of the city's most popular sightseeing spots, as thousands of revellers thronged to the riverfront to watch a light show.
At least 49 were injured, including 13 seriously, local health authorities said yesterday. Among the wounded were a Malaysian and another from Taiwan. State media said a Taiwanese person was among the dead.
