Citation
(1999), "Letter to the editor", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 8 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.1999.07308baa.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Letter to the editor
In DP&M (Vol. 3 No. 1, 1994, p. 33) I described the disaster in the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Good Friday 1834. People collapsed from fatigue and asphyxiation, others panicked and 500 people were killed in the crush while trying to escape.
According to Biblical Archeology Review, January/February 1999, p. 19, the church originally had 12 exits but when Saladin conquered Jerusalem in 1178 all but one were sealed and the key to that door given to a Muslim. There is still only one door but, after five years of discussion, the various churches that are allowed to conduct services have agreed that a second door should be provided. They still have to agree the location of the door.
This must be a sort of world record on tardiness in responding to a disaster.
Trevor KletzCheadle HulmeCheshireUK