iPhone 4S Beijing Launch Terminated by Crowd Chaos

[Maura]

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Well we already knew that the iPhone 4S would be popular when it launched today in China, with thousands of would-be customers queuing overnight for the chance to buy one, but it seems that it has actually proved to be a little too popular today, judging by the many reports of the chaotic launch all over the web, including this one on Boy Genius Report, complete with video. According to numerous first-hand reports, in particular one on Chinese blog M.I.C. Gadget, the iPhone 4S launch at Apple’s store in Sanlitun, Beijing, was dramatically halted when the crowd turned unruly, with fears for the safety of the staff. Many of those who had been queuing had been waiting in the cold for more than 12 hours. The situation appeared to get out of hand when the store delayed opening because of crowd-control issues. This caused the crowd to become even more agitated, so much so that it was decided that the launch would be stopped altogether. When this was announced to the assembled masses, fights started to break out and eggs were thrown at the store. Eventually a SWAT team was called in to calm the situation down. BGR says that Apple’s only comment has been to say that the iPhone 4S has completely sold out in China already.

Source: Chaos at Beijing iPhone 4S launch causes sales halt [video]