As Halloween returned to Seoul on a Friday night time, recollections of the lethal Itaewon crowd crush lingered over the town’s get together districts, the place festive crowds packed Itaewon, Hongdae and different areas whereas the authorities issued security alerts and labored to handle swelling foot site visitors.
Police started blocking entry to the alley behind the Hamilton Lodge, the positioning of the 2022 tragedy that killed 159 folks, and guided pedestrians via close by streets. The Yongsan District Workplace mentioned subways would skip Itaewon Station from 11 p.m. resulting from overcrowding and despatched a cell security alert round 10:30 p.m. warning that dense crowds close to the station might be harmful.
In Hongdae, greater than 100,000 revelers gathered within the nightlife zone, prompting giant digital billboards to flash “very crowded” warnings. Officers estimated between 105,000 and 110,000 folks have been within the vacationer space, with one other 30,000 close to Hongik College Station. Security employees patrolled the streets, calling for folks to “preserve strolling” and “keep away from standing nonetheless,” whereas police put in momentary fences to direct one-way pedestrian circulation.
The slim alleys have been crammed with younger folks wearing elaborate Halloween costumes impressed by films, anime and Ok-pop tradition.
An individual in costume walks alongside Itaewon’s World Meals Road in Seoul’s Yongsan District on Halloween night time, Friday. Yonhap
The federal government mentioned it had strengthened security measures this 12 months, anticipating bigger crowds as Halloween coincided with a Friday amid the worldwide Ok-content increase and the current resumption of visa-free entry for Chinese language vacationers.
In Itaewon, police whistles echoed alongside the World Meals Road as officers tried to keep up order. Different fashionable nightlife areas, together with Apgujeong’s Rodeo Road and Konkuk College’s meals alley, have been additionally busy however much less congested.
On the Itaewon alley the place the tragedy occurred, mourners positioned white chrysanthemums and pumpkin-shaped lanterns at a memorial show titled “Path of Reminiscence and Security.” Close to Noksapyeong Station, civic teams held an occasion known as “A Pageant of Mourning and Security,” the place individuals in costume honored the victims and known as for continued vigilance in crowd administration.
