First Weekend Halloween Since Itaewon Tragedy... Itaewon Crowded With People

[Anchor]

Today (October 31) marks the first weekend Halloween since the Itaewon tragedy four years ago. Large crowds are gathering in busy areas such as Itaewon and Hongdae in Seoul. Our reporter is live in Itaewon.

Reporter Kim Gyu-ri, I can see a lot of people behind you. What is the atmosphere like at the scene?

[Reporter]

Crowds started to increase here in Itaewon around the early evening, and now the alleys are packed with people.

People in Halloween costumes are visible all over the streets. Mindful of the tragedy from four years ago, citizens are showing cautious attitudes as well.

[Kang Geum-hwa / Mapo-gu, Seoul: Every time I walk by, I find myself looking over here at least once more. Naturally, because it was a disaster....]

According to Seoul's real-time city data, about 20,000 people gathered around Itaewon as of 7:00 PM, and 24,000 people are expected to throng the area by midnight today.

Crowds are also flocking to major commercial districts in Seoul, with 60,000 people gathering near Hongdae around lunchtime and 120,000 people as of 7:00 PM.

[Anchor]

With so many people gathering, there are concerns as well. What safety management measures are being implemented by the police?

[Reporter]

Currently, police riot buses are lined up along the roads here in Itaewon.

The police are managing the crowds by separating pathways in congested zones to enforce one-way pedestrian traffic.

[Kwon Dae-hyun / Itaewon Merchant: The police came out and are providing extra management. But from a commercial district's perspective, isn't there some disadvantage (since the tragedy)? It cannot be helped. Preventing accidents comes first.]

The police deployed around 7,800 personnel to 28 key management areas nationwide for safety oversight.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety also issued public behavioral guidelines to prepare for accidents.

The ministry emphasized that if one is trapped and pushed along with a crowd, rather than forcefully moving in the opposite direction, one should keep both arms folded in front of the chest to secure breathing space. It added that if a person falls and cannot get up, they should protect themselves by wrapping their arms around their head and curling their body.

(Reported by Choi Dae-woong | Video by Lee So-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.