Seoul:Authorities in Seoul are planning to enhance crowd safety measures ahead of the Halloween festivities later this month, according to a senior police official.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ko Beom-seok, who heads the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, revealed these plans in anticipation of the fourth anniversary of the Halloween crowd crush that occurred on October 29, 2022, in the Itaewon nightlife district. This incident tragically resulted in the deaths of 159 people.
Ko explained during a briefing that police are collaborating with ward offices to conduct safety inspections in preparation for the Halloween celebrations scheduled for October 31.
Yongsan Ward, which oversees the Itaewon area, has announced plans to deploy approximately 2,550 personnel for crowd management duties from Friday to November 1. This measure is in response to the expected influx of large crowds during the Halloween festivities. The 2022 tragedy in Itaewon was caused by a crowd surge into a narrow alley during Halloween celebrations.