Hong Kong Halloween Festival 29 Years After Tragedy Was Different... One-Way Traffic and Emergency Route Secured

On New Year's Eve 1993, 21 Dead and 62 Injured as Crowds Gather
Citizens Say "Feels Like Police-Led... Trust Safety Measures"

People enjoying Halloween in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong, on the 31st (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Park] In Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong's largest entertainment district that experienced an accident 29 years ago, citizens reportedly enjoyed a joyful Halloween party under police safety control.

On the 1st, Lee Jung-min, a Korean resident in Hong Kong who appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' said that although a large crowd gathered in Lan Kwai Fong, they were able to safely enjoy the festival thanks to police control. He said, "In the case of the (Lan Kwai Fong) Halloween festival, it feels like the police are leading it," adding, "I read in the news that the Lan Kwai Fong Merchants Association and the police coordinate and plan in advance." He continued, "I also saw on the police and government websites that they provide advance notice about vehicle access and gathering prohibitions during certain hours when the Halloween festival is held."

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) also recently reported that the thorough safety measures established by the Hong Kong police prevented the Itaewon tragedy from affecting the Halloween festival in Lan Kwai Fong. According to the report, the Hong Kong police closed some roads in the Lan Kwai Fong area for Halloween, installed barricades along with one-way traffic signs on some streets, and secured emergency routes for use in case of emergencies.

The Hong Kong police stated, "These are not special measures taken after the Seoul (Itaewon) tragedy but are similar to the usual event control manuals used in previous years," adding, "We have years of experience responding to festivals held in Lan Kwai Fong."

These thorough safety measures originated from lessons learned from a crush accident in 1993. At that time, during New Year's Eve, a large crowd gathered, resulting in a crush accident that killed 21 people and injured 62. Since then, local police have maintained safety according to control manuals.

Citizens enjoyed the festival following police control. Rachel de la Raga (31), dressed as an angel, told SCMP that she did not want to be influenced by the tragedy that occurred in Seoul and planned to enjoy the party with friends. She said, "I think the Hong Kong police are very well organized for this kind of issue," and added, "I am not worried." Jo Ro (38), who was dressed as one of the movie characters, also told SCMP, "Look at Korea. Accidents happen in an instant," adding, "Police control on-site is necessary, and I do not feel uncomfortable with the control. It is better to be safe than for a tragic event to happen."