In recent years, Lithuania has hosted many mass events – a huge Andrius Mamontovas concert rocked Vingis Park, and there were even two impressive performances by Jessica Shy, attracting thousands of people. Massive events also thunder in arenas – soon A$AP Rocky will perform, followed by Pitbull, who will hold his second show in Lithuania this year.
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Žmonės.lt contacted the Vilnius City Municipality for a comment on air danger during mass events. The head of the Civil Safety Department of the administration, Žygimantas Solovjovas, states that upon receiving a warning, the event staff must be prepared to respond appropriately and manage large crowds.
“Event organizers must independently assess the event location, the distance of the event from a strategic object or critical infrastructure, which is the direction where an air attack is likely to occur. Based on this, evacuation algorithms must be planned, which should be prepared even when there is no air danger. Staff must be ready to regulate flows, open additional passages, and have clear instructions prepared for participants on how to behave during danger. (e.g., Air danger announced, stay calm, do not run, go towards x,x,x where an employee with a vest will indicate where to go next.)
The event organizer should also contact the managers of the nearest infrastructure and ensure that the premises will be accessible during the event, check their capacity, but not assume as a constant that everything will resolve itself if an incident occurs. IMPORTANT is prepared communication, clear instructions for participants on which direction to go, and not to cause panic,” – commented Ž.Solovjovas to Žmonės.lt.
Currently, the recommendations provided by the Fire Protection and Rescue Department (PAGD) are as follows:
DURING AIR ATTACKS AT MASS EVENTS IN OPEN SPACES, PARKS, AND OTHER OPEN AREAS
Upon receiving an air danger warning, immediately follow the instructions of the event organizer, security personnel, police, or rescue services. Stay calm, do not panic, and do not cause additional confusion to those around you. Do not run chaotically or against the flow of people, as this can cause dangerous crushes and injuries.
The main goal during an air attack is to leave the open area as quickly as possible and reach a safer place. First, choose the nearest shelter, underground parking lot, underground passage, basement, or another solid brick or reinforced concrete building. If you cannot quickly reach a shelter, look for a place that at least partially protects against shrapnel and shock waves – a terrain depression, ditch, embankment, wall, or other stronger barrier.
Avoid open squares, stages, glass structures, advertising stands, lighting towers, temporary structures, and other objects that may collapse or cause injuries from shrapnel during an explosion. Do not gather in one place or stop to watch air targets, drones, or explosions. Do not approach fallen objects or their debris, do not touch them, and report them by calling 112.
If explosions or an attack start unexpectedly and there is no possibility to quickly reach shelter, immediately lie down on the ground, cover your head and neck with your hands, and after the first impacts, move as quickly as possible to a safer place. If you are with children, elderly people, or persons with disabilities – help them evacuate and do not leave them alone.
Continuously monitor official information through GPIS announcements, LT72, Lithuanian radio and television, and other official information channels, and follow the instructions of responsible institutions.
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Air danger at “Žalgiris” and other arenas
The portal Žmonės.lt also received responses from the “Žalgiris” arena:
