"Stampede"

1 a situation in which a group of people or large animals such as horses suddenly start running in the same direction, especially because they are frightened or excitedA stampede broke out when the doors opened.2 a situation in which a lot of people are trying to do or achieve the same thing at the same timeFalling interest rates has led to a stampede to buy property.

Human stampedes most often occur during religious pilgrimages and professional sporting and music events. They also often occur in times of mass panic, as a result of a fire or explosion, as people try to get away.


From the news:

More than 300 people died in a stampede in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh after panic erupted at a water festival crammed with millions of revellers.

The stampede took place on a bridge over a tributary of the Tonle Sap River, which connects Phnom Penh with nearby Diamond Island, where festivities were taking place to mark the final day of the annual festival.

Ref.

http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/dictionary/stampede

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/23/3073577.htm