'Halloween Crowd' Stampede in Itaewon... 2 Dead, 23 Injured

Police Estimate 100,000 Gathered
Police Mobilize All Available Personnel to Respond

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungseon Gong, Sehee Jang] A massive crowd gathered at a festival held in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ahead of Halloween Day, resulting in a large-scale crushing accident.

According to the fire authorities, as of 1:34 a.m. on the 30th, a total of 25 casualties occurred in this accident, including 2 deaths. Earlier, around 11 p.m. the previous day, a crushing accident occurred in the Itaewon area of Seoul, causing multiple cardiac arrest patients. Near the Hamilton Hotel, it was reported that 21 people were receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) around 11:30 p.m. Subsequently, all cardiac arrest patients were transported to nearby hospitals.

This accident is presumed to have occurred when citizens heading home near Itaewon Station to the left of the Hamilton Hotel became entangled with each other. The fire authorities issued a Level 3 response from around 11:50 p.m. due to concerns about additional casualties.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Over 100,000 Gather in Itaewon Area... Police Deploy All Available Personnel to Respond

On that day, numerous parties were held throughout the Itaewon area ahead of Halloween Day, attracting an estimated crowd of over 100,000 according to the police. The police deployed about 200 personnel to monitor the surroundings in preparation for any possible incidents or accidents during the Halloween period. The police had originally planned to conduct drug raids targeting nearby clubs that day but canceled them due to the crushing accident.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, convened an emergency crisis meeting immediately after the accident, ordered the mobilization of all available personnel, and instructed to ensure vehicle traffic and safety measures for the rescue of casualties. He also demanded strict investigations regarding compliance with safety measures and accountability from local governments and event organizers.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to form a separate investigation headquarters to conduct the investigation, and it is reported that Kim Kwang-ho, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, is on-site directing the response.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.