South Koreans are in mourning for those who lost their lives in the nation’s deadliest incident ever involving a crowd. During the Halloween celebrations, revelers rushed down a narrow alley, which resulted in the deaths of more than 150 people. After the country had lifted COVID constraints and social distancing, this Halloween event in Seoul was the first one to take place there in three years. A good number of the guests came dressed in costumes and masks appropriate for Halloween.
As the evening progressed, there were reports from several eyewitnesses that the crowd became increasingly disorderly and agitated. The police have come under fire for the fact that they have admitted they were unable to accurately predict the potential dangers posed by large crowds. Witnesses and fire department officials said that people continued to crowd into the narrow lane that was already crammed to the brim. Let us learn more about the situation and the possible reasons that might have led to such catastrophic incident.
What Caused Stampeded in South Korea?
The chaotic situation occurred in the Itaewon neighborhood, which is known for its vibrant nightlife. It is not entirely clear what caused the crush, but witnesses claim that partygoers had been crammed closely together in the district’s narrow roads, making it difficult to navigate the area.
According to witnesses, a large number of people crowded into the narrow alley that led downhill just next to the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon. After hearing that an unknown celebrity had been spotted in the area, a large number of individuals are said to have rushed to the location in question, according to some local media reports.
How many peoples were injured during the Stampede?
According to the authorities in charge of firefighting in Seoul, at least 153 individuals have lost their lives and another 82 have been injured as a result of the stampede that occurred on Saturday night. Officials reported that 33 of the wounded were in critical condition, which raises the possibility that the number of fatalities will rise even further. More than eighty percent of the victims were in their twenties or thirties, and eleven of the victims were teenagers. Bereaved families were anticipated to start the funeral preparations for their deceased loved ones as the process of identifying the deceased neared completion. The government is going to provide the necessary support for the funeral procedures, according to the officials.
A large crowd that was pressing forward along a narrow alley in the Itaewon neighborhood of the South Korean capital’s Itaewon suburb, which is a major recreation and nightlife town in the capital, was responsible for crushing the victims. More than 1,700 first responders have been dispatched to the scene of a crowd crush that occurred during Halloween celebrations in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea. The victims, who were predominantly young people, numbered in the dozens.
How is the Government and Police Reacting to the Situation?
The police have reportedly formed a task force of 475 people to look into the tragedy. Other law enforcement officials have stated that they are investigating the origin and progression of the mass gathering. On Monday, a group of law enforcement officers and government forensics experts reportedly combed the Itaewon neighborhood looking for clues.
A total of fifty surveillance cameras in the vicinity have provided footage, and officers are also reviewing social media videos. According to senior police officer Nam Gu-Monday Jun’s press conference, they have interrogated more than 40 witnesses and victims so far. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated at the outset of a cabinet meeting on the tragedy that the government would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident’s cause and try to make the specific recommendations of structures to prevent a similar incident from occurring again.
Also See: How Do People Die In Stampede? How To Avoid Getting Crushed
