Fortunately no one died. It’s all so bizarre. Who riots for Ikea furniture? “I will kill or die for that cheap swivel chair!”
Five people are in hospital today after hundreds were crushed as the opening of England’s biggest Ikea store turned into a riot.
Nine ambulances were sent to the outlet in north London after reports that up to 20 people had suffered heat exhaustion when the opening at midnight descended into chaos. Staff closed the doors after half an hour amid fears the stampede could become a Hillsborough-style crush.
Security guards said they were put “under siege” by customers who attacked them, leaving one guard with a dislocated jaw. The store remains closed and a cleanup operation is under way. Ikea apologised for the chaos and admitted the store was understaffed – but added that some customers “behaved like animals”.