Grief Over Shanghai’s Deadly Stampede Answered by Censorship

After the deadly New Year’s Eve stampede, Shanghai authorities seem to be concerned about being blamed for the disaster, blocking online criticism, summoning Net users, and suppressing the press.

A police officer stands guard at the site of the New Year’s Eve stampede in Shanghai, on Jan. 3, 2015. Shanghai authorities have tightened censorship over the incident by blocking online criticism, summoning Internet users, and suppressing the press. Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images

The deadly stampede in Shanghai on New Year’s Eve has brought great sorrow to the city. Rather than consoling victims’ families, Shanghai authorities seem more worried about being blamed for the disaster, blocking online criticism, summoning Internet users, and suppressing the press.

Days after the incident, the official death toll stands at 36, and Shanghai authorities haven’t apologized or given any explanations for what caused the stampede. Facing a cold response from the government, public complaints have grown louder, with many urging the resignation of the mayor and city’s Communist Party secretary.

"How could unreasonably blocking and silencing speech erase the blood of 36 innocent lives?"

— 'Weng Tao micro-comment,' Chinese Internet user