Overseas Crush Incidents Similar to the 'Itaewon Disaster'... Accountability and Legal Reforms Implemented

Fatalities in Japan, England, and Others
Clear Responsibility...Common Factors Revealed
Fact-Finding Investigation and Probe → Punishment → Prevention of Recurrence
Truth Uncovered in This Order

Attention is focused on the government's future response regarding the 'Itaewon Disaster' that occurred on the 29th of last month. Cases from various countries show that efforts to prevent recurrence were made by thoroughly investigating the facts, punishing those responsible, and revising related laws. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Attention is focused on the government's future response regarding the 'Itaewon Disaster' that occurred on the 29th of last month. Looking at cases from various countries, it has been found that efforts to prevent recurrence were made through thorough investigations to punish those responsible and amend related laws.

Japan: Simultaneous Punishment of Responsible Parties and Legal Amendments Immediately After the Disaster

After a crush disaster occurred in Japan, police officials were criminally prosecuted and laws were amended. In 2001, a fireworks event was held near the coast of Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture. A large crowd watching the event passed through a narrow pedestrian bridge, resulting in a crush accident. A total of 11 people died, including nine children under the age of 10, and 258 were injured. The pedestrian bridge connected the event site and a nearby station; it was 100 meters long but only 6 meters wide.

After the disaster, problems with the response of the Hyogo Prefectural Police and other authorities were revealed. The police prioritized measures against biker gangs and deployed 292 security personnel for that purpose, but only 36 were assigned to crowd control. It was also revealed that despite a similar accident causing injuries at the same event a year earlier with 55,000 attendees, the police used the same security plan for the event that year, which was expected to attract up to approximately 200,000 people.

Subsequently, through investigations by the police and prosecutors, one police officer, one security company employee, and three city officials were charged with professional negligence resulting in death or injury, found guilty, and received prison sentences. Additionally, in November 2005, the Japanese government amended the Security Services Act and the National Public Safety Commission regulations to change the security system at crowded venues.

Japan criminally prosecuted police officials and amended laws after the crush disaster.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

UK: Truth Revealed After 23 Years... ‘Police’s Inadequate Response’

The United Kingdom revealed the ‘truth’ through a thorough investigation even after several decades. On April 15, 1989, a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was scheduled at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, UK. On that day, 96 football fans were crushed to death and 766 were injured. Amid a large crowd of fans attending the match, the police opened an additional entrance, causing a sudden surge of people entering through the gate, resulting in the crush accident. However, at the time, the police announced that the accident was caused by ‘some fans pushing into the stadium without tickets while intoxicated,’ which sparked controversy. The bereaved families demanded a reinvestigation for 20 years.

In 2009, the UK government established the Hillsborough Independent Panel and granted it the authority to investigate the Hillsborough disaster. The panel, composed of lawyers, doctors, criminology experts, and journalists, conducted the investigation over three years by publishing all related documents on a website. The panel revealed in 2012 that the police had inadequate response measures, such as failing to establish minimal barriers on the day of the disaster. After 23 years, then-Prime Minister David Cameron acknowledged the government's mistakes and apologized.

The United Kingdom revealed the 'truth' through a thorough investigation even after several decades. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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