Additional security and strategic closures to manage crowds after chaotic first performance.
SINGAPORE: Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is stepping up crowd control measures for its dragon drone shows following safety concerns raised during the first performance. Starting Sunday (Feb 11), additional security personnel will be deployed, and MBS will implement its major event security protocols.
A spokesperson urged attendees to consider alternative viewing locations along the Marina Bay waterfront’s 3.5km stretch, offering unobstructed views of the 10-minute performance with the iconic MBS building as a backdrop.
Chaotic First Night
The inaugural performance of The Legend of the Dragon Gate: Drone Show by the Bay featured 1,500 drones forming a dragon over Marina Bay to celebrate Chinese New Year. Originally scheduled for Feb 6, the show was postponed to Saturday due to unforeseen circumstances.
However, large crowds combined with rainy weather led to congestion and safety concerns. Social media was flooded with complaints about the lack of crowd control.
Facebook user Justin Tan described the scene as chaotic, citing children crying, elderly individuals appearing distressed, and audience members shouting to stop pushing. Another attendee, Carolyn Leo, reported in a public post that rain forced people to crowd into the mall through narrow entrances, leading to near-stampede conditions.
“There were many children, disabled people in wheelchairs, and elderly individuals being shoved and squashed in the crowd,” Ms. Leo wrote, criticizing the absence of signage and queue management.
Enhanced Measures
To address these issues, MBS announced several measures:
Mall Entrance Closures: From 5pm to 10pm, entrances and exits along Level 1 of The Shoppes, from Black Tap to Da Paolo Gastronomia, will be progressively closed.
MRT Exit Adjustments: Exit D of Bayfront MRT station may be temporarily closed depending on crowd levels. Attendees are encouraged to use alternative MRT stations such as Downtown and Promenade.
Expanded Security: Additional personnel will manage crowds and assist with safety.
The event, a collaboration between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), MBS, and UOB, remains free to the public. The next performances are scheduled at 8pm on Feb 11, 12, 16, 17, and 18.
A Broader Viewing Experience
MBS emphasized that the show can be viewed from various vantage points around the bay, ensuring safer and more comfortable experiences for spectators.
The enhanced measures reflect a proactive approach to ensuring public safety and maintaining the success of the event, allowing audiences to enjoy the spectacle without compromising well-being.
