“We feel very sad and extremely guilty,” Vice Mayor Zhou Bo told a nationally televised press conference.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the victims, and express our deepest apologies to their families as well as the injured and their families.”
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After Chinese President Xi Jinping warned officials about public safety following the stampede, authorities across the country have rushed to cancel large gatherings, ranging from pop concerts to shopping festivals.
But Zhou, Shanghai’s vice mayor, said that, after careful risk assessments, officials have green-lighted most planned events in the city for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations in February — though the popular lantern festival at the ancient City Temple won’t go ahead.
