I think that this is certainly a tragedy and to simplify it as stupidity on the patrons part or negligence on the part of the establishment does no good! There is a decent share of both of these is contributing to the results. Certainly any nightclub owner who allows the crowd to become dangerously large or allows pyrotechnic displays in an area surrounded by flamables is negligent. Also individuals who voluntarily walk into such a crowd and blithly expect the establisments owner to "take care of the safety" without first analyzing the risks themselves and planning alternate escape routes is not fully utilizing his thinking capacities.

Whenever we find ourselves looking back on a tragedy it is natural to try to place blame - that is part of determining how we can reduce the risks in the future. To exclude examining the individuals role becaues it was the establisments part to secure the situation is the lambs way out to the slaughter-house. To require the establishment to secure the situation completely so that there is no risk is to risk living in a padded prison without access to knives or rope.

In the end, regardless of whatever is being done to protect us by others, we are individually responsible for our own butts. That is what being prepared is all about. Each and every one of the casualities (from fatalities to frightened excape's) had a chance to survive the night before they entered that building. Look at the crowd and ask yourself if you think that you will be safe there if something happens. Evaluate, evaluate, and then evaluate again. If you are unable to get to the bathroom it might be time to think about leaving even if there isn't a fire. Afterall, there could be a fire and if you can't get to the bathroom how will you be able to get to the door. At-least work your way towards the door so that you will be able to reach it easily.

<rant on loud> Or maybe the experience of seeing the band play from the edge of the stage is worth the risk of your life. If that is your devotion to the band and the party then stay but don't exclude yourself from the blame when you or your date becomes a crispy critter when things go bad.<rant off>