Chaos unleashed after Fito Pace concert at Arena 1: Why only one exit for 20 thousand people? | Concert | Lima | Ann Miguel | MML | Arena 1 | Green Beach | lime

After the event, nearly 20,000 people were directed toward the exit of the entertainment center. found in Beach round, participants must take paths that lead to the top of the cliff. There is a pedestrian bridge meters away from Arena 1, but it has been closed for months. With this in mind, the only access to the district’s streets and avenues was 750 meters south on the Bertolotto Bridge.

Confusion and fear

To get to this point, the organizers chose to place directional bars. Arena 1 General Manager Ramon Laria explained Trade This action was discussed with Municipality of San Miguel and event organizers, companies La Boveda Entertainment Y Fun entertainment. Also, let me make it clear that this is a strategy that has already been used in previous cases.

“The priority is to prevent the public from crossing the expressway [de la Costa Verde] And try to climb the mountain, because it is dangerous. Additionally, another objective is to prevent the informal market from encroaching on the area and preventing taxis from blocking the road.”, Laria explained. “The effect was optimal, nothing happened“, he highlighted, referring to the fact that no incidents were registered.

Many participants criticized the lack of containment measures at the event, which could have resulted in overcrowding. In addition, several private vehicles and taxis were shown blocking the passage at the height of the bridge, where – although many headed towards Bertolotto Avenue – others approached cars in the middle of the expressway. El Comercio learned that some people there avoided the system and crossed the expressway and climbed the cliff. The next morning, the bars were already removed.

Consent

Arena 1 As confirmed, this is a venue designed and built for massive events Trade His own general manager. It is located in the district San MiguelOn board Costa Verde. This enormous space covers 36 thousand square meters, nine of which correspond to the concert area.

Although he Arena 1 They have a capacity of 23,000 people and were expected to hold 20,500 for the event. It should be noted that Metropolitan Municipality of Lima (MML) He is in charge of conducting Evaluation of Safety Conditions at Programs (ESCE) Over three thousand people at events. In this sense, MML’s disaster risk management department determined that the safety conditions within the establishment were consistent.

“to us [la Gerencia] We publish a resolution to that effect [la empresa organizadora] Continue the process [de la autorización]. They also go to the district municipality [y luego] They go to the Ministry of Home Affairs and they decide on guaranteesMML’s disaster risk management manager Mario Casaretto explained to this newspaper.Lima does not endorse any events [salvo los que se desarrollan en Cercado de Lima]”, he highlighted.

Regarding criticism of potential evacuation routes in the event of an earthquake or other hazardous situations, Laria said.The first thing civil defense officials recommend is to get out into the open. Esplanade [del Arena 1] It is completely open. [No hay] The best place to face this situation [con] respect [otros establecimientos] from the city”. It should be noted that Arena 1 is not located within the flood zone in the event of a tsunami.

For his part, Casaretto announced to other media that “The main danger is the chaos that creates victims. In an earthquake, in a natural disaster, it is people’s desperation and collective panic that kills people. In this case, what is this sudden discharge?”. “Evacuation, from the moment the event begins, is already the net responsibility of the local government.” he added.

Trade He maintained constant coordination with the Press Committee of the Municipality of San Miguel, but they finally decided not to testify to this report.

Poor location and non-existent infrastructure

Trade Urban planner Alto Facho spoke with Dede, who explained that what happened this weekend was not unique to the event. Phyto Base. “This is an accessibility issue associated with non-functioning space. [permanente]” said the expert. “Access is more difficult for people with certain disabilities, such as the elderly or children. [Para salir] There are only stairs or ramps” he added.

“If Arena 1 is to function as an entertainment center to that extent, access roads should be considered. How do they leave? [en caso de siniestros]How do they get off the high board? There is a problem with operating license. Arena 1, at investment cost, should provide more infrastructure” Faucho Dede noted.

He also explained that it is very difficult for municipalities to invest in large scale as there are no daily uses in this place. “There should be an urban structure that allows access, but there is not because there is very little supply“, he pointed out. Likewise, he highlighted”The Peruvian government must guarantee universal access. Anyone can freely access regardless of their physical condition. It not only tells you where the stairs are, but ensures a safe, comfortable and accessible experience. The arena and the government should ensure this”.

On the other hand, urban planner Sylvia Vasquez noted in an interview Trade The exit towards the upper part is very important as it is the only way for public transport. With this in mind, Vasquez suggests “Consider public transportation or a service that picks people up after such an event. This completes the event. The organizer has to think not only about the concert, but also about the exit [de este]”. He also proposed implementation of better pedestrian bridges.

The expert criticized the area as inaccessible and questioned the way Fito Pace’s show unfolded. “We don’t have constant pedestrians. We have people with different conditions, different ages, and they need to be safe. When an event occurs, not everyone is in the same position. Not everyone has the same reaction to the hype. You have to put yourself in all the scenarios”, argued the expert.

Finally, Vasquez said “there is.An inconsistency” As the Costa Verde is the fastest route, on access and exit routes. “We are talking about a crippled expressway, its capacity reduced [ante la cantidad de vehículos detenidos a las afueras del recinto]. It is an informal zone. You can log out of the event and see if you can get out of there or not.”, he concluded.