[Itaewon Disaster] Han Dong-hoon: "Prosecutors' Accident Response Headquarters to Focus on Cause Investigation and Legal Support"

Seoul Immigration Office Operates Emergency Response Team
Handles Tasks Related to Foreign Casualties

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is announcing a comprehensive plan for juvenile crime on the afternoon of the 26th at the Ministry of Justice in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Regarding the 'Halloween Crowd Crush Disaster' that occurred on the night of the 29th in Itaewon, Seoul, Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon instructed on the 30th that "the Accident Countermeasures Headquarters formed at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office should work closely with the police to thoroughly investigate the cause and circumstances of the accident, ensure prompt autopsy and handing over of the deceased to their families, and take thorough measures. Please make every effort to provide legal support for damage recovery, identify foreign victims, and support the entry of bereaved families, ensuring full support for the victims and their families."

Minister Han also expressed, "I extend my deepest condolences to the victims and their families who are experiencing great shock and sorrow due to this accident."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Justice also reported that the Seoul Immigration Office has formed an emergency response team related to this accident and will carry out tasks such as identifying foreign victims, supporting the entry and stay of bereaved families and guardians, and providing interpretation support.

On the previous night, a massive crowd crush disaster occurred as a large number of people gathered for a festival held ahead of Halloween Day in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The accident resulted in 151 deaths and 82 injuries. Among the deceased, 54 were male and 97 were female. Of the 82 injured, 19 were seriously injured and 63 had minor injuries. The seriously injured include patients in cardiac arrest, so the death toll is expected to rise if some of them pass away. Most of the victims were identified as being in their teens and twenties. The number of foreign victims was also identified as 19.

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