Safety Management Plans for Events Without Organizers... Joint Inspection of Local Festivals from the 3rd

Psychological Treatment Provided to Schools with Casualties
Funeral Expenses Paid Through Local Governments at Bereaved Families' Addresses

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The government is preparing safety management measures for events without organizers to prevent accidents similar to the Itaewon crowd crush disaster. Starting from the 3rd, a joint government inspection of local festivals will be conducted.

On the morning of the 1st, Kim Seong-ho, Director of the Disaster Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, held a briefing at the Government Sejong Complex under the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and announced future measures regarding the casualties.

According to the CDSCH, as of around 9 p.m. the previous day, one seriously injured person died, increasing the death toll to 155 (including 26 foreigners), and the total number of injured is 152, including 30 seriously injured. The CDSCH also confirmed the identity of a deceased teenager whose identity had not been verified until the previous day.

Prime Minister Han Deok-su said at the CDSCH meeting held earlier that day, "The National Police Agency is currently conducting investigations and analyses to clearly determine the cause of the accident," adding, "Based on this, we will prepare measures to thoroughly ensure citizens' safety even at voluntary group events without organizers."

Prime Minister Han also stated, "The government will actively support bereaved families, the injured, and the general public to receive psychological counseling and treatment through the National Trauma Center and the Seoul Mental Health Welfare Center."

The government will identify the cause of the accident and establish safety management measures for events without organizers to prevent recurrence. To prevent similar accidents, a joint government inspection of local festivals will be conducted starting from the 3rd.

Considering the large number of student victims, psychological treatment and emotional counseling will be provided to schools with casualties, and student safety education will be strengthened.

The government has designated the period until the 5th as a national mourning period and is operating a total of 59 joint memorial altars across local governments nationwide.

Director Kim said, "We are matching dedicated public officials one-on-one to support bereaved families. Funeral expenses will be paid as quickly as possible through the local governments of the bereaved families' residences. Measures are also being taken to ensure there is no shortage of cremation facilities."

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