KAMEDO Report No. 75 Fire Catastrophe in Gothenburg 29–30 October 1998

A fire developed in a facility being used as a discotheque that resulted in death for 63 young people. The rescue operations, ambulance responses, medical care provided at the scene, hospital operations, and psychosocial responses are described. Bodies blocked the exit and many survivors had to evac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Prehospital and disaster medicine 2005-08, Vol.20 (4), p.258-261
Main Authors: Riddez, Louis, Dellgar, Uno
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alert
ambulance
autopsy
burns
carbon-monoxide intoxication
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
chaos
command
cyanide intoxication
disaster plans
Disasters
Emergency Medical Services - organization & administration
entrapment
fire
Fires
Health technology assessment
hospitals
Humans
journalists
medical care
medical direction
psychosocial support
rescue
Rescue Work - organization & administration
resources
response times
responses
security
Special Report
Sweden
violence
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Summary:A fire developed in a facility being used as a discotheque that resulted in death for 63 young people. The rescue operations, ambulance responses, medical care provided at the scene, hospital operations, and psychosocial responses are described. Bodies blocked the exit and many survivors had to evacuate by leaping from windows. A total of 16 ambulances were used. Survivors and people not directly involved in the incident created disturbances and some even attacked responders. Many of those who escaped early suffered mild inhalation injuries and those who escaped later, sustained more severe inhalation injuries. High levels of both carbon-monoxide and cyanide were detected at autopsy. A total of 213 persons were transported to hospitals, 85 by ambulance. Most who died at the scene had severe burn injuries, were unconscious, or suffered from fire-gas injuries. A total of 150 victims were admitted to a hospital, of which 74 (49.3%) required intensive care. Only one of the four hospitals actuated a disaster alert. Psychosocial support was complicated due the multicultural characteristics of those involved. Support to the survivors and relatives of the victims was provided by representatives of various religious organization, non-profit organizations, and by the government of Gothenburg. Many recommendations are provided to better prepare for future events.
ISSN:1049-023X
1945-1938
DOI:10.1017/S1049023X00002636