"Pokemon Go" has become such a massive worldwide phenomenon that it has resulted to a number of crazy incidents. On Aug. 21, 2016, "Pokemon Go" triggered a stampede in Taipei, Taiwan after players spotted a Snorlax and immediately rushed to capture it.
Snorlax is a rare non-evolved creature, but it unfortunately spawned in the middle of a busy road, causing hundreds of people to ignore traffic safety and authorities patrolling the area. Snorlax appeared at the center of the Xinbeitou district in Taiwan's capital, where thousands of people go through daily. The place has also become a popular spot for "Pokemon Go" players, since various types of creatures frequently spawn there.
Hollywood Life reported that Xinbeitou is one of the best places in Taipei to play "Pokemon Go." The civil defense force and several members of the police force have been assigned to the area to ensure the safety and protection of both "Pokemon Go" fans and non-players.
When a rare Pokemon appears in the vicinity, it was normal for groups of people to rush towards it. However, the presence of a Snorlax was apparently too much for players at the time that hundreds of them came towards it altogether, initiating a stampede.
A video of the stampede showed thousands of "Pokemon Go" players disregarding incoming traffic and pedestrian lanes to run towards the location of Snorlax. Cars, trucks and buses needed to stop in the middle of the busy downtown area to make way for the rushing trainers.
There were also non-players who ran with the others, merely curious about what was happening. Traffic remained at a standstill for several seconds since the roads flooded with people moving towards a single spot.
TIME mentioned that "Pokemon Go" has been the source of many disturbances in other parts of the world. In Bangkok, Thailand, police cautioned to arrest "Pokemon Go" fans who continued playing on major roads. People were also outraged after discovering that "Pokemon Go" creatures were spawning at historical landmarks. A stampede also happened in New York City in July 2016 after a Vaporeon appeared in Central Park at midnight.
