[Itaewon Tragedy] "Even more heartbreaking as we are the same age"... Citizens Visit Accident Site to Pay Tribute

On the night of the 29th, a large-scale crushing accident occurred in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The next day, citizens came to the accident site one by one holding bouquets to pay their respects.

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] “I came to lay flowers after hearing the tragic news.”

“It’s even more heartbreaking because the victims were of the same age group.”

In Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a massive crush accident occurred ahead of Halloween Day, citizens who heard the news are gradually visiting the site to pay their respects.

Around 1 p.m. on the 30th, the area around the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, where the accident happened, is currently closed to traffic except for some fire trucks and police cars. A police line is set up about 15 meters around the alley, making passage difficult. Citizens stood at places like the bus stop at Exit 4 of Itaewon Station across the alley, watching the accident site or taking photos.

High school student Yoon Donghyun (16), who was lingering in front of Exit 1 of Itaewon Station, said he couldn’t sleep until 4 a.m. after hearing the breaking news of the accident. He said, “Every time there was a media briefing, the death toll seemed to increase by 30,” and he came to the site to express his condolences. Yoon said a friend was at the scene an hour before the accident, feeling relieved but also said with teary eyes, “There were teenagers among the deceased, and as a fellow high school student, it’s heartbreaking.”

Citizens who came to lay flowers approached the order maintenance line in front of the alley and told the police, “We came to lay flowers.” The police appeared to have communicated via radio and decided not to stop citizens coming to lay flowers. They reached the alley, bowed their heads while looking at the accident site, briefly observed a moment of silence, bowed again, placed flowers, and then left.

On the night of the 29th, a large-scale crushing accident occurred in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The next day, citizens came one by one to the accident site holding bouquets to pay their respects.

Mr. Kim, in his 30s, who often passes through Itaewon, said, “I came here (to lay flowers) after hearing the heartbreaking news.” Kim said none of his acquaintances were at the scene. Still, he added, “It’s even more painful because the victims were of the same age group.”

Yoon Hojun (29), who rushed to the site immediately after hearing the accident news that morning, came with a heart to pray for the victims and their families. Yoon said, “I thought many people must be shaken and suffering, so I came,” and added, “I hope we can find hope even in this desperate situation.”

Mr. Kang (65), who taped flowers to a store pillar next to the alley, came up by train from Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, around 6:30 a.m. Kang initially thought the accident was minor when he heard the news during a local trip. However, seeing the increasing death toll, he said, “I thought I misread the numbers; it was definitely not a small number.” He often walked through the alley next to the Hamilton Hotel and burst into tears, saying, “I don’t think I can walk through this alley anymore.”

Flowers also began to be placed near Exit 1 of Itaewon Station close to the accident site. Two foreign women said, “We came to express our condolences after hearing the accident news,” laid flowers, and soon left.

Meanwhile, the government has designated the period from today until the 5th of next month as a national mourning period related to this tragedy. The Seoul Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that a joint memorial altar will be set up at Seoul Plaza starting from the morning of the 31st. Yongsan-gu Office will also set up a joint memorial altar at Itaewon Plaza.