Photo : Taken in June, tributes left by passersby and tourists remain a common sight.

On the night of October 29, 2022, what was supposed to be a festive Halloween celebration in the vibrant Itaewon district of Seoul turned into a devastating tragedy. This event became one of the worst crowd disasters in South Korea’s recent history.

The Events

Tens of thousands of people, mostly young adults, had gathered in Itaewon to celebrate Halloween. Around 10:20 PM, a deadly stampede occurred in a narrow, sloping alleyway connecting the main streets of the district. The overcrowded alley became a death trap for many partygoers as people were crushed in the chaos.

Casualties and Reactions

The tragedy claimed the lives of 159 people and injured more than 150 others. The victims, mostly in their 20s and 30s, included citizens from several different countries. Overwhelmed emergency services struggled to pull victims from the crowd and provide critical care.

Causes and Investigation

The investigation revealed major failures in crowd management and public safety. The lack of proper planning to manage such a large gathering in confined spaces was heavily criticized. There were also strong criticisms of insufficient police presence and inadequate crowd control measures.

In response to the disaster, the South Korean government vowed to strengthen safety measures for public events, particularly those drawing large crowds. Reforms were proposed to improve coordination between security agencies and local authorities to prevent future tragedies.

National Impact

The Itaewon Halloween tragedy deeply affected South Korea, leading to a national period of mourning and calls for better management of major public events.

In remembrance of the victims, vigils and commemorations were held, underscoring the critical importance of ensuring safety in densely populated public spaces.