severity

Mike Long, a spokesperson for the union, said 14 members were arrested for refusing to disperse at a march after the rally, a tactic, he said, meant to underscore the severity of the situation.

The fire department declared a mass casualty event because of the "number and severity of injuries".

Detwiler said these plans typically include likelihood-severity models, which measure the likelihood of a hazard occurring with the severity of its potential consequences.

Mr Haq said the injuries were in the "top five" in terms of severity of those he had seen during his career.

Even more striking: crimes of vastly different severity carry the same penalty - like practicing homoeopathy without a licence, jumping a red light, or forcing someone into labour - all punishable with a one-year sentence.