Advertisement

South Korea’s Yoon apologizes for Halloween stampede: ‘Unspeakable tragedy’

Click to play video: 'Canadian among those injured in Seoul crowd surge'
Canadian among those injured in Seoul crowd surge
South Korea’s president has declared a national period of mourning after a deadly crowd surge in Seoul. At least 154 people are now confirmed dead. Young party-goers had been out celebrating Halloween but the crowd quickly grew out of control. Twenty of the victims were foreign nationals, including one Canadian who was injured in the chaos. Dan Spector reports – Oct 30, 2022

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol apologized on Monday for the deadly Halloween crush in Seoul, pledging to hold to account any officials found to be responsible for sloppy responses and to reform police and safety management systems.

The Oct. 29 crush killed 156 people, mostly in their twenties and thirties, and injured another 197 when revelers flooded the narrow alleyways of the popular nightlife district of Itaewon to celebrate the first COVID curbs-free Halloween festivities in three years.

Yoon offered the apology during a meeting to review safety rules, as the country continues to mourn the crush victims. An investigation is under way into authorities’ responses to the accident.

“I do not dare to compare myself to the parents who lost their sons and daughters, but as the president who ought to protect the people’s lives and safety, I am heartbroken,” he said.

Story continues below advertisement

“I am sorry and apologetic to the bereaved families who are suffering an unspeakable tragedy, and to the people who share the pain and sorrow.”

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Police have faced stringent public criticism and scrutiny over its responses during the tragedy, having dispatched just 137 officers to the area despite estimating in advance as many as 100,000 people would gather.

Last week, transcripts of several emergency calls made from the hours leading up to the accident showed that people had warned of a potential crush and urged interventions.

Yoon initially ascribed the authorities’ poor handling to flaws in the country’s crowd management and safety regulations. Following the reports of the call transcripts, however, he sharply rebuked the police and apologized to the victims and wider audiences.

Click to play video: 'Witnesses describe ‘out of control’ South Korea Halloween deadly stampede'
Witnesses describe ‘out of control’ South Korea Halloween deadly stampede

At Monday’s safety meeting, he vowed to overhaul the national safety management system, carry out a thorough investigation and bring those responsible for failings to account.

Story continues below advertisement

“In particular, extensive reform is needed in the police work, which is essential to preparing for danger and preventing accidents, in order to protect the safety of the people,” Yoon said.

 

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)

Sponsored content

AdChoices