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Shanghai cancels Lantern Festival after stampede tragedy

The annual Lantern Festival in Shanghai, China, has been cancelled due to "safety concerns" after dozens of people were killed in a stampede on New Year's Day.

More than 1.3 million people headed to the Lantern Festival last year Credit: Reuters

Last year more than 1.3 million people headed to the event, which occurs on the 15th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year and marks the end of the Spring Festival.

But the company which runs the festival at Yu Yuan Garden, a maze of narrow alleyways and ancient buildings, said there were "safety concerns" for this year's celebration which meant it could not go ahead as planned.

A total of 36 people were killed in a stampede at Shanghai's Bund waterfront as crowds gathered to watch the New Year's light show Credit: Reuters

It comes after 36 people were trampled to death along the city's Bund riverfront walkway, after thousands gathered to watch a light show marking the New Year.

Other events as far away as Beijing have also been cancelled in the wake of the tragedy, which security has been tightening in subway stations and other crowded public places.