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Release date August 20, 2010



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(for english version see below)

(de) Diese Dokumentensammlung betrifft die Loveparade vom 24. Juli 2010 in Duisburg, bei der eine Massenpanik zu 21 Toten und 511 Verletzten führte. Die Unterlagen beziehen sich auf: den Planungs- und Genehmigungsprozess innerhalb der städtischen Behörden und mit dem Veranstalter, den Ablauf des Events und nachträgliche Dokumentationen einschließlich Ausnahmegenehmigungen, Eventsektorplänen, Meetingprotokollen diverser Arbeitsgruppen (z.B. zu Verkehr und Sicherheit), Eventbeschreibungen, Polizeimaßnahmen, Besucherschätzungen, ein Ereignisprotokoll, Anwohnerbericht und Fotos.



Hintergrund:

Die Loveparade fand seit 1989 als jährliche Technoparade in Berlin statt und wuchs sehr schnell von 150 auf bis zu ca. 1,5 Mio Telnehmer. Obwohl sie ein Großevent für Jugendliche war, fand die Loveparade als angemeldete Demonstration statt, bis das deutsche Verfassungsgericht in 2001 die Veranstaltung zum kommerziellen Event erklärte. Diese Entscheidung hatte gravierende Auswirkungen auf die Kostenstruktur der Loveparade. Aus diesem Grunde fand die Loveparade in den Jahren 2004 und 2005 nicht statt.

Der Relaunch in 2006 (noch in Berlin) sowie alle weiteren Loveparades wurden durch den neuen Eigentümer der Marke - die Lopavent GmbH veranstaltet. Seitdem fand die Loveparade im Ruhrgebiet statt. 2009 wurde die in Bochum geplante Loveparade aus Sicherheitsgründen abgesagt.

(en) This collection of documents covers the Loveparade event in Duisburg, 24th of July 2010, where a mass panic caused 21 deaths and injuries for 511 participants. The following topics are documented: planning and approval processes within city authorities and with the event organizer including exception approvals and waivers, event area plans, protocols of various task forces e.g. on traffic and security, the event concept of the organizer, police activities, Lopavent participant estimates, event protocol, an individual report on incidents leading to the critical situation, and event pictures.

Announcement of a well-organized Loveparade on NRW.de, the homepage of the state Northrhine-Westphalia. The article has been removed.

Attachment to orders given to the police. See Spiegel Online[2] for more information.

Planning documents and others:

1. Sector Map - including event logistics, camera locations, emergency points

2. authorization for the Mayor of Duisburg (OB)by the city parliament to sign frame contract with Lopavent GmbH for Loveparade in Duisburg in 2010, 11.06.2007, plus decision of city parliament of 20.02.2010 not to invest any public budget for the Loveparade

3. Protocol 25.09.2009 of meeting with city authorities, Lopavent, Aurelis

4. Protocol 02.10.2009 of meeting with city authorities, Lopavent and other local stakeholders, includes estimation of app. 1 mio visitors for the event

5. Protocol 20.10.2009 of Task Force Traffic 2009, includes remarks of German Rail/VRR participants that estimated 90% of Loveparade visitors in 2007 and 2008 arrived by train

6. Presentation on state of planning for Loveparade - Status Quo of 29.10.2009

7. Invitation of the Ordnungsamt Duisburg to planning meeting at 21.04.2010

8. Overview of Loveparade related task forces, their focus and prospective participants, includes TFs for traffic/transport, event administration, public relations/citizens and security

9. Protocol of Task Force Security meeting at 23.04.2010 (excluding protocol attachments)

10. Event description by Lopavent GmbH - of 28.05.10, estimates that 90% of visitors will arrive by rail, total visitor estimate: 450.000, maximal number of visitors at any given point in time: 250.000, this equal maximum allowed number of visitors per available qm event area (110.000 qm - 2,5 visitors per qm max), mentions mobile "Streifen" in the tunnel, 70 security staff in area entrance/tunnel, head of security for entrance: located at "Rampe" of tunnel to order temporary closure of entrance to tunnel if jams occur, potential dangers exclude panic situations as extremely unlikely/impossible due to high noise levels- no mitigation listed (as for other dangers)

11. Event concept "security" - internal draft document, as of 20.05.2010 - estimates max nr. of visitors for any given time at 250.000 with option to regulate entrance should actual nr. of visitors be significantly higher, mentions "Späh-Ordner" at tunnel entrance areas with radio equipment to inform event "Einsatzleitung" on any critical situation

12. Planned measures (road closures and temporary fences) of Police Department - mailing of Police Department to Fire Department and "Ordnungsamt" - as of 29.06.2010, includes maps with fence locations

13. contract for Prof. Dr. Schreckenberg, University Duisburg-Essen, to check the plans on visitor flow management and event location, contract value 20.000 Euro, as of 21.05.2010

14. Document containing a Letter from "Ordnungsamt" Duisburg to Prof. Dr. Schreckenberg (dated 13.07.2010) with attached internal notes for the City administration and for the Police Department on a meeting with Prof. Dr. Schreckenberg (12.07.2010) as well as the confirmation of Prof. Dr. Schreckenberg that these internal notes are correct

15. official letter (mail) of Police Department to Task force Security at City of Duisburg containing protocol on scenario workshop at 08.07.2010 with various security stakeholders, protocol includes description of how number of visitors will be measured and location sector system, the tunnel area is sector V-1, includes requirement to inform visitors with speaker systems about jam situations and blockages and details reactions to various dangerous situations including "Großschadenslage", attachments: sector plan, flight plan, scenario documentation for many danger scenarios - no one for panic, contact list for members of event mission control

16. Protocol of city administration for meeting at 15.07.2010 with various event stakeholders, mentions several asks to voice remaining security concerns with no reaction

17. Loveparade visitor estimate document - by Lopavent GmbH, as of 08.07.2010, to the attn. of Mr. Bölling, Ordnungsamt City of Duisburg ("personally"), introductory note asks for highest confidentiality since publication of these numbers "could significantly harm the event's public reputation", highlighted statement says that these estimates have nothing to do with "official visitor numbers" used for media purposes (expected visitors, actual visitors) - since counting differs and these numbers depend on other factors, document estimates ("for internal purposes") maximal number of visitors to be around 485.000 but not more then 250.000 at any given time, this number is not likely to be exceeded since majority of visitors arrive by train and the Duisburg trainstation has no higher capacity

18. official request of Lopavent - filed by their solicitors - for approval of Loveparade event, to the attn. of OB Sauerland, 01.02.2010

19. confidential event concept- as of 15.01.2010

20. protocol of meeting at 02.03.2010 of various city administration departments, quotes applicability of maximal number of visitors - with 2 visitors per qm event location area, quotes also that the planned event location area is absolutely insufficient - allowing for max 180.000 visitors, mentions even low estimate of visitors would mean 500.000-600.000 total number of visitors with peaks of 300.000 at the same time. Protocol calls problem "not solvable" and quotes that members of approving authorities can face legal persecution

21. protocol of meeting at 08.03.2010 with Lopavent and various city administrations on status of planning measures, time plan, communication, quotes that members of city administration voiced concerns that planned event area is too small for expected number of visitors, quotes max. 2 visitors per qm, maximal total number of visitors to be 400.000 due to limited arrival capacity by railway leading to max. 200.000-250.000 visitors at any given time - Lopavent was asked to provide written description for these estimates, visitors coming and going would all go through the tunnel, access blockages could only be done for short periods of time

22. internal draft concept for Loveparade event - as of 15.03.2010 ("not for public use!") by Lopavent GmbH

23. internal note (Aktenvermerk) on meeting at 21.04.2010 between Lopavent GmbH and various members of Duisburg municipal administration covering security at Loveparade, stipulates the requirement of max. 2 visitors per qm event area; additional internal note on meeting at 21.04.2010 between Aurelis (location owner) and same members of city administration, mentions reduction of maximal allowed visitors according to lower available event area

24. Request of Amt für Baurecht und Bauberatung to Lopavent GmbH of 14.06.2010 to deliver range of missing documents necessary for approval of Loveparade, missing documents include: final security concept based solely on relevant local aspects - not former Loveparades in other locations, fire protection concept. Stipulates that draft security concept has not been jointly developed with the approval authority and that references to contractual agreements or side talks with others have not to be part of a security concept or event description. Contains preassessment results, e.g. max. number of visitors per event area location is 2, Lopavent calculated with 2,5 - this leads to max. 220.000 visitors at any given time. Service areas have to be deducted from the event area size, which would lead to further reduction of max. allowed visitors; Assessment of flight ways: current concept only allows for secure flight of 1/3 of visitors - exception handling requires justification which has not yet been delivered. This document was copied to other offices in the City of Duisburg administration, including the Office of the Mayor.

25. Internal note ("Vermerk") after meeting at 18.06.2010 between members of City administration, Fire Department, Lopavent GmbH, 3 critical points noted: 1) fire protection concept (to be created by a subject matter expert), 2) number of allowed visitors per qm event area to be max 2 (Lopavent disagrees), 3) flight concept - Lopavent considers secure flight options for 1/3 of visitors to be sufficient, "not legal but real problems should matter". Mr Rabe (Dez. 2) pointed out that the Mayor of Duisburg wants the event and that therefore, a solution has to be found, the approval authority and the Fire Department should help Lopavent with creating a new flight concept. Since the mayor wants the event, Lopavent cannot be left alone and Dep. 62 although legally responsible should act constructive. Rabe suggested follow up meeting at 21.06.2010 with Lopavent, Fire Department, Dep. 62 (Baubehörde) and others to jointly develop flight concept, this should be checked by Prof. Dr. Schreckenberg, if approved by him, this should be sufficient for Dep. 62 to approve too. Handwritten note: "Due to this issue I refuse responsibility and accountability (Zuständigkeit und Verantwortung) von V/62 ab. This corresponds in no way with an orderly administrative process (geordnetes Verwaltungshandeln) and a subject oriented project management (sachgerechte Projektsteuerung). The decision in all matters lays with II (note: II means Dezernat II for Security and Legal Affairs, head of Dezernat: Mr. Rabe). gez. Dressler (Dezernatsleiter Stadtentwicklung - Dez. V - Ref. 62= Baubehörde, zuständig für Genehmigung)

26. internal note after meeting at 25.06.2010 between Lopavent GmbH, external agency, Fire Department, City officials. Agreement on conducting flight analysis which would (potentially) allow for deviation of usual flight concept requirements. Should this not be the outcome, the event will not get approved by Bauaufsichtsbehörde.

27. Two documents: first - request of Lopavent GmbH (via their solicitors) to get extension of deadline for delivering missing documents, second - approval of deadline extension until 07.07.2010 by city administration

28. Second interims assessment of approval authority (Baubehörde) as of 14.07.2010 - mailed to Lopavent GmbH, facts: event area plan not up to date, building plans missing, Fire protection concept - still missing but expected to come, security concept not up to date, plus many other documents, new deadline: end of 28th calendary week

29. detailed event description by Lopavent GmbH, as of 16.07.2010, mentions that responsibility for detailed planning of access and exit ways is at the City of Duisburg. Quotes maximum number of visitors at 250.000 for any given time and therefore, within the allowance limit for the event area of 110.000 sq, mentions Tunnel-area as especially important because it is the only point for entry, if needed, access to the tunnel will be blocked. For Crowd Handling, about 100 security staff of Lopavent GmbH will be in the Tunnel area to monitor and manage visitor flow. Main entrance security management will be located at the ramp in the middle of the tunnel area. 17 cameras will monitor virtually every area. Cameras allow for adhoc visitor counting at all times and thus very precise visitor density calculation. The section on dangers mentions panic as either not possible or with very limited negative impact

30. event area map with marked visitor entry flow

31. Request for approval for exceptional use of Karl Lehrstrasse for Loveparade by Lopavent (by their solicitors) to the attention of the Mayor of Duisburg, dated 19.07.2010

32. Approval for exceptional use of Karl Lehrstrasse for Loveparade by City Administration, dated 21.07.2010

33. Fire protection concept with overall expert assessment (Gutachterlicher Gesamtbeurteilung), as of 22.07.2010, update of previous concept of 17.07.2010,

34. exception approval for event Loveparade by Amt für Baurecht, dated 21.07.2010, 2 exceptions: 1) waiver for legally required minimum breadth of flightways, 2) waiver for fire brigade plans, stipulates conditions for this approval: applicability of fire protection concept (nr. 33) and maximum actual number of visitors to never exceed 250.000

35. presentation on Loveparade mainly on logistics, security, by Lopavent GmbH, no date (after 14.07.2010),

36. Sector Map, as of 12.07.2010

37. Notification on utilization (Auslastungsmeldung), dated 26.07.2010; excel sheet, does not contain any figures after 17:00, for Sector V1 (tunnel) by police only two entries, both with 100% at 13:00 and 14:00, Lopavent figures for V1 sector: 24% at 13:00, 48% at 14:00, 82% at 15:00, data for arrivals at main train station mostly empty (only 2 figures), data entries over 100% apparently not existent

38. Event Log, dated 25.07.2010, contains only pages 10-19 out of 53 pages, starts 24.07.2010 07:23, ends 24.07.2010 12:52

39. Note (Nr. 733) on access blockage to the tunnel, written down at 25.07.2010 (01:09)

40. picture taken during Loveparade at the ramp to the tunnel (no time stamp)

41. picture taken during Loveparade at tunnel west (no time stamp)

42. Letter of Inhabitant (witness) to City of Duisburg, dated 27.07.2010, description of situation at Karl Lehrstrasse - at tunnel entrance between 13:00-16:00, describes how police allowed more people to enter the tunnel entrance although it was visibly overcrowded (14:45), mentions that 3 policemen in Karl Lehrstrasse 159 were videotaping several hours this situation

Background:

The Loveparade started in 1989 as annual Technoparade in Berlin, Germany, and rapidly grew from 150 participants to about 1,5 Mio participants. Although it was a mass event for young people, it took place as a registered demonstration until the German Constitutional Court decided in 2001 that the Loveparade is a commercial event. This ruling had a significant impact on how costs had to be covered. As a consequence, the Loveparade did not take place in the years 2004 and 2005.

The relaunch in 2006 (still in Berlin) and all following parades were organized by a new holder of the brand - Lopavent GmbH. Since then, the Loveparade took place in the Western Ruhr district. In 2009, the Loveparade planned in Bochum was cancelled due to security concerns.





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