Accurate Count Emerges Over Time
Massive Crowds Ahead of Halloween Weekend
Accidents Presumed as Citizens Jumble Together
"Person Next to Me Suddenly Stopped Breathing"
On the morning of the 30th, 119 rescue team members who were dispatched are rescuing and sorting the victims. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy reporters Jang Sehee and Gong Byungseon] 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 crush disaster.
According to the fire authorities, as of 4 a.m. on the 30th, a total of 296 casualties occurred in this accident, including 146 deaths. Earlier, as of 2:40 a.m., there were 120 deaths and 100 injuries. A fire official explained, "As time passed, an accurate count was made, and accordingly, the number of deaths increased significantly."
The bodies of the deceased are being placed at the Wonhyo-ro Multipurpose Gymnasium. Forty-six bodies of those who died at the scene were first transported here, and the bodies of those who were declared dead after being moved to hospitals are being placed here sequentially. Previously, injured patients, including those in cardiac arrest, were transported to 20 nearby hospitals such as Soonchunhyang University Hospital and the National Medical Center.
The day before, around 10:22 p.m., a crush accident occurred in the Itaewon area of Seoul, resulting in multiple cardiac arrest patients. The fire authorities reported that by 11:30 p.m., 81 rescue calls had been received due to breathing difficulties and other issues. It was reported that 21 people near the Hamilton Hotel were receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at that time.
The accident is presumed to have occurred in an alley near Itaewon Station to the left of the Hamilton Hotel, where citizens became entangled with each other. The fire authorities conducted three rounds of searches centered on the accident area but reported that no additional casualties or unusual findings were discovered.
On that day, parties were held throughout the Itaewon area ahead of Halloween Day, attracting an estimated crowd of over 100,000 people according to police estimates. Because of this, many people reportedly did not realize the severity of the situation immediately after the initial accident. It was only after 11 p.m., when cardiac arrest patients suddenly surged, that the disaster was recognized.
A citizen who was at the scene told this paper, "Suddenly, people started falling and pushing from behind," and added, "Someone next to me suddenly stopped breathing, and people screamed 'Help us'."
In the early morning of the 30th, the injured are waiting to be transported to the hospital. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The fire authorities issued a Level 1 response at 10:38 p.m. on the day of the accident and escalated it to Level 3 from 11:50 p.m. A total of 1,701 personnel and 144 pieces of equipment were deployed along with the police to carry out rescue and recovery operations.
Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, convened an emergency crisis meeting immediately after the accident, ordered the full mobilization of available personnel, and instructed traffic control and safety measures to aid the casualties. He also demanded a strict investigation into 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 an inquiry, and Kim Kwang-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, is reported to be on-site directing the response. The police have also established a disaster countermeasure headquarters led by the deputy commissioner of the National Police Agency to focus on identifying victims and supporting bereaved families and victims.
During the Halloween period, the police deployed about 200 personnel to monitor the area in preparation for any possible incidents or accidents. The police had originally planned to conduct drug raids targeting nearby clubs but canceled these operations due to the crush accident.
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