On February 4, 2006, about 30,000 people had gathered outside the PhilSports Stadium to participate in the first anniversary episode of ABS-CBN early afternoon television game show, Wowowee scheduled at 1 pm.

[2] According to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report, most of the victims were from the poorest parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, generally jobless and attracted by the show's promise of instant wealth.

Witnesses and several survivors reported that the crush began when the already impatient crowd continued pushing and shoving, causing one of the barriers used to keep people in queue to collapse.

[2] The Red Cross, ABS-CBN's affiliated NGOs, and the network itself led efforts in recovering the dead bodies, providing medical care for the injured, and other related assistance.

A report by BBC and ABC News also theorized the legitimacy of the alleged bomb scares but police and other authorities denied the statements due to insufficient evidence.

In its statement, the surge was triggered by an ABS-CBN staff member announcing to the crowd gathered at the gate that only the first 300 people in line beneath the covered walkway leading to the stadium would be chosen to participate in the Pera o Bayong portion of the show.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said in a telegram to Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego that 'the Pope offers his prayers and condolences for all those affected by this terrible accident.

[9] Simultaneously, the hosts, producers, and the director of Eat Bulaga!, Wowowee's rival variety show on GMA Network, offered a minute of silence and prayers for the victims of the crush, which they also did in 2006 in the wake of the incident.

[10] A contestant on the show's former segment, "On The Spot Jackpot", had a relative who died during the incident and shared his/her experiences about what happened before quoting that "life is more important than money".