SINGAPORE – Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has rolled out additional crowd control measures after a dragon-themed drone show on February 10 drew large crowds, raising safety concerns. ing.
Legends of the Dragon Gate, where 1,500 synchronized drones form an aerial display over the Marina Bay waterfront, will also run on February 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18 at 8pm .
Some visitors to the free show on February 10 took to social media to complain about a variety of issues, including crowding, lack of clear signage and blocked exits.
There were also reports of people rushing back to crowded malls to take shelter from sudden downpours just as the show started, leading to chaos as others tried to move in different directions to watch the display. A scene occurred.
An MBS spokesperson told The Straits Times that it is estimated that several thousand people watched the first show.
MBS said in a Feb. 11 statement that it has increased security staff and plans for security for major events similar to those used during the New Year’s Day countdown to better manage crowds expected at upcoming drone shows. He said he had activated the.
Accountant Seraphina Tan told ST it was an “unfortunate experience”, noting that everyone started rushing forward towards the waterfront before the 10-minute show began.
“A man elbowed my elderly mother to step forward. She was punched in the stomach and was coughing afterwards,” said the 37-year-old.
Tan Hee Leung, a 23-year-old student, expressed frustration at being pushed aside by the crowd and separated from her friends.
He told ST: “I intentionally came down early in the afternoon to get a good position. I’m disappointed that I couldn’t see the drone clearly.”
Some people had a great time watching drones on the first day of Chinese New Year. Ms Divya Venkataraman, a 41-year-old teacher, described the exhibition as “magically sparkling”.
“I realized what a huge amount of effort went behind this amazing show. Despite the sudden downpour, the show was so enchanting that even the rain did not dampen my spirits. “It was,” she said.