Yongsan Fire Station Chief Choi Seong-beom is being summoned to the special investigation headquarters for the Itaewon accident in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Cho and Byungseon Gong] It was reported on the 30th that two citizens who made 119 emergency calls at the scene on the day of the Itaewon disaster ultimately lost their lives. The National Police Agency’s Special Investigation Headquarters (SIH), which is investigating the overall response to the disaster, is examining whether the fire department’s on-site rescue activities were appropriate, based on the fact that calls were received after the large-scale crowd crush began.
A SIH official stated at a briefing held at the Mapo Police Station in Seoul on the morning of the same day, “Using 10:15 PM as the time of the accident, it was possible to reduce the number of casualties or minimize injuries through rescue activities afterward,” adding, “For example, two citizens who made 119 calls at 10:42 PM and 11:01 PM died.” The official also added, “There were no casualties among those who called 112.”
On the day of the Itaewon disaster, excluding unanswered calls, a total of 87 calls requesting help were received by 119. Although the contents of the calls were previously submitted in full to the National Assembly by the Fire Agency, the SIH official said that the contents of the calls made by the two deceased could not be confirmed. Meanwhile, the police received a total of 11 reports expressing concern about a crowd crush starting four hours before the disaster occurred. These reports were disclosed to the media and the National Assembly by the National Police Agency earlier this month.
The SIH is focusing its investigation on the appropriateness of the fire department’s rescue activities after the accident. A SIH official said, “According to relevant laws, the fire department, as an emergency rescue agency, must immediately carry out rescue activities not only when a disaster occurs but also when there is a significant risk of a disaster occurring.” In relation to this, the SIH has booked Yongsan Fire Station Chief Choi Seongbeom and Yongsan Fire Station Field Command Team Leader Lee (surname withheld) on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. The SIH official added, “The investigation also covers whether the on-site commander took appropriate measures based on the situation witnessed after arriving at the scene.”
Previously, the SIH summoned Chief Choi twice for questioning as a suspect on the 21st and 26th. According to the SIH, Chief Choi is suspected of increasing casualties due to inadequate response, including the delayed declaration of Response Level 2 immediately after the disaster. In particular, the SIH suspects Chief Choi’s responsibility for the delayed declaration of Response Level 2 right after the accident, which prevented personnel from nearby fire stations from being deployed promptly.
The SIH also questioned Team Leader Lee twice. On the day of the disaster, under Chief Choi’s orders, he declared Response Level 1 at 10:43 PM and commanded the scene until Chief Choi declared his command authority at 11:08 PM. Since Team Leader Lee directed the scene for most of the time after the accident, the SIH is examining whether his command of rescue operations was appropriate. Additionally, the SIH is expanding its investigation into the overall disaster response of the fire authorities by analyzing materials related to the Central Emergency Rescue Control Center (Central Control Center) obtained through a search and seizure of the Fire Agency.
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