In October 2022, approximately 159 people lost their lives in South Korea during Halloween festivities due to a crowd surge, with thousands more injured. Disaster experts have been analyzing the factors that contributed to this tragic incident to ensure the public stays safe during such settings, and to understand how South Korea plans to protect citizens during such busy events in the future.
The large crowd in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea, came for early Halloween celebrations. The crowd size far exceeded the space’s capacity as over 10,000 individuals gathered in a 4-meter-wide alley. The crowds were partly due to South Korea lifting its pandemic restrictions just days before the festivities. Officials stated that they had anticipated large crowds, raising the question of why more preventative measures were not implemented to prevent such a catastrophe.
According to an analysis conducted by Cambridge University, the lack of emergency preparedness, preventive measures, and restrictions on public gatherings were the primary factors that contributed to this tragedy. Local officials failed to warn residents or prepare for crowds of thousands of individuals.
The Cambridge University study references the South Korean government’s lack of adaptive policies and interventions, particularly in response to large-scale disasters. The study emphasized that the South Korean government has shown a lack of awareness in such situations and must prioritize the health and well-being of citizens. South Korean officials have offended and outraged citizens by referring to the incident as “an accident” and the victims as “the dead,” leading to very little national collaboration and recuperation after the tragedy.
The study, along with millions of South Korean residents, has called on the government to restructure its disaster management policies and prioritize safety in the future.
By Justin Goldberg