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South Korea observes a national mourning after the gigantic stampede which made 156 victims during the Halloween festivities, Saturday October 29. The first revelations of the investigation overwhelm the police.
The deadly stampede on Halloween night, which left 156 dead and 133 injured on Saturday, October 29, has not finished upsetting South Korea. The authorities have apologized for a tragedy where the police bear and recognize a heavy responsibility. Four hours before the arrival of help, in Itaewon, while the crowd movements began, the police had received a dozen calls to alert on the chaotic situation.
However, no intervention had been triggered. “Looks like you can be crushed to death with people still coming here, when there’s no room for people to come down.” can be heard in a call made to the police. After more than a hundred calls, the emergency services intervened. The police also admitted to having deployed only 137 officers to Itaewon, insufficient numbers when more than 100,000 people were present to celebrate Halloween.
At a press conference, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon couldn’t hold back the tears. “As the mayor of Seoul, responsible for the lives and safety of citizens, I feel infinitely responsible for this accident and I offer my deepest apologies.“, said the chosen one.