Reports of overcrowding at a teenage disco in Co Antrim earlier this month will cause widespread concern and will inevitably revive memories of the awful tragedy at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on St Patrick's night in 2019.
On that terrible night, three young people died in a crush as they queued to get into a disco - a shocking and devastating incident that highlighted in the most dreadful way imaginable the dangers that can arise from events involving large crowds.
Thankfully, there were no serious injuries or worse at the Elk complex in Toomebridge on Friday November 5 but it is clear from the accounts of some of those in attendance that they had a frightening and alarming experience.
This venue is well known and popular, drawing customers from a wide area. The disco on this particular night was a ticketed event aimed at young people below the age of 18 and no alcohol is served.
There were reports that some children were lifted off their feet and carried along by the crowd due to the number of people in the venue.
One woman said her daughter and two friends, aged 13 and 14, "feared they would have been crushed" if it had not been for the actions of a security guard who "pushed them out into a smoking area and got a system in place of people coming in and out".
Police said they have received several reports of potential overcrowding at the premises.
However, it is not just the large number of young people allowed into the venue that has sparked concerns.
The Public Health Agency has confirmed there have been just over 170 positive Covid cases among those who attended.
A further 800 people have been identified as close contacts and will be required to self isolate and get a PCR test.
This is obviously worrying and underlines, once again, the need for vigilance, particularly in relation to large scale events and social gatherings.
The Elk has said it is assisting Mid Ulster District Council with its inquiries, and this is to be welcomed. It is essential that the full facts of what occurred on November 5 are established and the findings made public.
There are clearly matters of public safety which need to be investigated in relation to the claims of overcrowding on the night and the wider consequences in terms of the spread of Covid.
