After the stampede in Seoul that left more than 150 dead, South Korea’s police chief has admitted his agency made mistakes. On Saturday, several emergency calls came in that pointed to possible dangers. However, there was insufficient response to this.
“I feel a heavy responsibility as head of one of the agencies involved,” South Korean police chief Yoon Hee Keun said on Tuesday. He now wants to ensure that there is a thorough investigation into what went wrong. An independent investigative body will be set up within the police for this purpose.
Yoon did not say whether he believes the disaster could have been prevented by previous police measures. However, the response to emergency calls received on Saturday was “inadequate”.
Disorganized Halloween Parties
That night, tens of thousands of people gathered in disorganized Halloween celebrations in the popular nightlife district of Itaewon. Countless people were stuck in the extreme crowds on a narrow and sloping side street. Many fell to the ground, suffocated, were crushed or kicked to death in the first Halloween celebrations since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
At least 156 people were killed, the Interior Ministry said. Among the dead were 26 foreigners, including a holidaymaker from Austria. At least 151 other people were injured, 29 of whom are still in critical condition.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
