Nine people were injured in a stampede at a shopping centre – because terrified shoppers thought the sound of popping balloons was gunfire.
Witnesses said people were shouting ‘they’re shooting’, but the noise was coming from a new restaurant in Florida Mall, Orlando, owned by former NSYNC singer Joey Fatone.
Fat Ones, the singer’s hot dog kiosk, was having a fire suppression system test, ABC reported, which involved popping balloons followed by a fire alarm.
The noise sparked panic as people rushed for safety, despite there being no threat to their welfare.
Officials said: ‘An announcement was made on the PA system informing shoppers and employees the test would be conducted.
‘The test consisted of six large balloons popping consecutively, followed by a fire alarm. This caused people to go into panic mode and run.’
Witness Ebony Freeman said she was hiding in a bathroom and described people ‘running for cover’ as some shouted ‘they’re shooting’.
Mark Comer said: ‘People were bumping into things, getting stepped on, falling, children getting dragged by their arms.’
Later, shoppers realised that it was a false alarm and the mall reopened.
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