Live Update: Horror Halloween in Itaewon, because Stampede, Crush (current: 156 died; 130 Koreans & 26 Foreigners)

For Kang Hyo-ung, my beloved friend since 15 years ago. Hopefully you're safe

Oct 29, 2022

It wasn’t a stampede. It was lethal overcrowding & young people being crushed in alleys with no way to escape.

The Washington Post create an astonishing forensic video about Kanjuruhan stampede (Indonesia, 135 died, still counting because several victim still in hospital after 30 days of tragedy).

WaPo again, will set a forensic video about stampede in Itaewon (28 hours after tragedy: 156 were dead; 130 Korean and 26 Foreigners, per 1.34 pm Seoul time or 61 hours after tragedy).

(*This live update since October 29th, changed or get updated or more longer every 20-25 minutes. Please refresh if readers wants to get update this page - substack)

South Korea Government launched a 561-member task force to delve into details of the Itaewon stampede tragedy. South Korea Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun set independent task force internal police to investigate Itaewon Stampede. This team different from 561-member task force of Government. One of the pity (comparation) number: Protest / Rallies near the Yongsan Presidential Office, and according to Hyung-jin Kim (Associated Press), 7,000 police officers deployed here. First ever reported by Hankyoreh, only 137 police officers deployed to Itaewon.

(only 4 from 11 call plea for help, resulted in mobilized police)

(I uploaded without erased pict in above, for more detail between 5 pm - 9 pm)

TEXT VERSION (NOT PICT) , MINUTE BY MINUTE (*apologize for the readers if this make the substack too long)

October 29th

5 - 9 pm

Protest / Rallies near the Yongsan Presidential Office. According to Hyung-jin Kim (Associated Press), 7,000 police officers deployed here. First ever reported by Hankyoreh, only 137 police officers deployed to Itaewon.

5 pm - October 30th

Ryu Mi-jin, lead for Seoul Metropolitan Police Situation Room desk, not in 5tn floor of the Situation Room. She insists in her own office on the 10th floor. She was reportedly notified about the incident in Itaewon around 11.40 pm

6.34 pm

First SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112) about chaos of crowd in Itaewon

Around 7-7.15 pm

According to Hankyoreh, a woman shouted and (unexpectedly) guided a chaotic crowd to be calm. Prevent a stampede disaster

Around 7 - 8.08 pm

A spare time between 1st SOS (6.34 pm) until the 2nd SOS (8.09 pm).

According to two journos, (1) Raphael Rashid and also (2) Michelle Ye Hee Lee (Seoul - Tokyo Bureau Chief of The Washington Post), at least on 7 - 8 pm the situation remains calm.

Michelle tweeted 2x times: 7.06 pm and 7.07 pm.

Raphael make sure that he photographed alley on 7.25 pm

Then, after 8 pm, the crowd chaotic again so emergency 112 received 2nd - 11th call - plea for help

8.09 pm

Second SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

8.33 pm

Third SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

8.53 pm

Fourth SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

9.00 pm

Fifth SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

9.00 pm

Rallies near the Yongsan Presidential Office ended

Around 9 pm - 10 pm

Yongsan-gu Chief Lee Im-jae had dinner in a restaurant after the Protests / Rallies in Yongsan ended. He had been having dinner with officers from his office.

9.02 pm

Sixth SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

9.07 pm

Seventh SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

9.10 pm

Eighth SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

Around 9.15 pm - 9.20 pm

Sergeant Kim Baek-gyeom, Police Box officer in Yongsan-seo & 2 his junior arrived in the crowd.Trying to help along night

9.30 pm

Yongsan-gu Chief Lee Im-jae notified about the situation around 9.30 pm (*no detail the format, call or text message, and the name officer who had contacted Chief Lee Im-jae)

9.51 pm

Ninth SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

10 pm

Tenth SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

10 pm

Lee had arrived at Noksapyeong Station at around 10 pm. The station is located just 10 minutes by foot from the scene. He had insisted on moving by his car despite a heavy traffic jam around Itaewon.

However, Lee's car detoured from the subway station to find other ways, and he was only able to arrive at a street near the police substation around between 10.55 pm. and 11.01 pm.

10.11 pm

Eleventh SOS / plea to help by some caller to dispatcher (112)

10.15 pm

Tragic Stampede happens.

10.15 pm

The first emergency call reporting that people were dying or stampede in the Itaewon crowd crush was placed to 119 (not 112) at 10.15 pm

10.18 pm

The National Fire Agency calls to Police, every level, at 10.18 pm

The National fire agency made 15 calls to the National Police Agency, Seoul Metropolitan Police Station and Yongsan Police Station, asking for more officers to be deployed in Itaewon. But the law enforcement authorities did not respond promptly.

10.55 pm

Local Media and several journo (both local or foreign who hang out / celebrate Halloween coincidentally in Itaewon) started reporting fatalities. At least 3 were dead.

11.01 pm

Yongsan-gu Chief Lee Im-jae parking his car in Police Box / Police Substation nearest Hamilton Hotel / nearest Itaewon (*a Police Box where Sergeant Kim Baek-gyeom came from)

11.05 pm

Yongsan-gu Chief Lee Im-jae arrived at the scene (Itaewon, alley near Hamilton). 50 Minutes after the stampede happens.

11.30 pm

Already aired by local media that 20 dead so far about the stampede.

11.32 pm

Officer at the agency's emergency situation room sent a text message to South Korea National Police Agency (NPA) Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun / Yoon Hee-geun at 11.32 pm

Yoon, not on duty that day, was at camping site (Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, 120 km from Seoul)

11.34 pm

First attempt by Yongsan-gu Chief Lee Im-jae called his commander, Kim Kwang-ho, (Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency), but he didn’t answer.

11.36 pm

Second attempt Yongsan-gu Chief Lee Im-jae called his commander, Kim Kwang-ho, (Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency), Commissioner Kim answered.

11.40 pm

First Squad Police (following the presence of Sergeant Kim Baek-gyeom and his 2 juniors from 9 pm), arrived. 85 Minutes after stampede.

11.40 pm

Superintendent Ryu Mi-jin was reportedly notified about the incident in Itaewon around 11.40 pm

11.41 pm

The first call was made via the inter-government agency communication network at 11.41 pm (1 Hour & 26 minutes after stampede).

11.50 pm

Second Squad Police (following the presence of Sergeant Kim Baek-gyeom and his 2 juniors from 9 pm; and 1st squad from 11.40 pm), arrived. 95 Minutes after stampede.

11.50 pm

Officer at the agency's emergency situation room made a phone call to South Korea National Police Agency (NPA) Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun / Yoon Hee-geun.

11.55 pm

First message - emergency alert about situation (tragic stampede) in Itaewon. A message broadcast is being sent to every mobile phone in Yongsan District telling people to go home ASAP due to the emergency situation near Hamilton Hotel.

(Again) already aired by local media that 20 dead so far about the stampede.

(36 scenes between 5 pm - 11.59 pm; October 29th)

===

October 30th

0.04 am

Second emergency message broadcast

Around 0.05 am - 1.13 am

3rd and 4th Squad Police arrived at Itaewon

0.05 am

Both Local Media and Foreign Media (NHK, AFP, AP, BBC, etc) reported that 50-59 fatalities in Itaewon

0.11 am

Third emergency message broadcast

0.11 am

A total of eight units of Conscripted Policemen were ordered to be dispatched to the scene at 0.11 am. on Oct. 30, the data showed. The role of conscripted policeman is to support police officers in various tasks such as street patrol.

0.14 am

South Korea Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun / Yoon Hee-keun received first report

0.14 am

Yoon Hee-geun / Yoon Hee-keun returned to Seoul after responding to a phone call at 0.14 am

0.25 am

Chief Seoul Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Kim Kwang-ho arrived at the scene of the accident

0.50 am

Both Local Media and Foreign Media reported that at least 120 fatalities in Itaewon

0.50 am

First batch of Conscripted Policemen arrived. 2 Hours 35 minutes after stampede.

0.51 am; 1.37 am; 2.53 am; 3.09 am

Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh emergency message broadcast

0.55 am - 1.12 am

2nd Batch - 8th Batch of Conscripted Policemen arrived

1.14 am

Fifth Squad / the final squad police officers arrived at the scene

2.30 am

(NPA) Commissioner Yoon Hee-keun / Yoon Hee-geun convened a response meeting around 2.30 am.

6.53 am

Both Local Media and Foreign Media reported that at least 149 fatalities in Itaewon

Around 9 am

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol went to the scene (alley in near Hamilton)

10.43 am (12 HOURS AFTER STAMPEDE)

Both Local Media and Foreign Media reported that at least 151 fatalities in Itaewon

(27 scenes between 00.00 am - 10.43 am; October 30th)

To contribute forensic video: Kakao Open Chat https://open.kakao.com/o/sWN7iZKe michelle.lee@washpost.com Twitter/Insta DM @myhlee (Michelle) https://www.twitter.com/myhlee/ or https://www.instagram.com/myhlee/

010-6370-8899

Michelle Ye Hee Lee is Seoul - Tokyo Bureau Chief for The Washington Post.

Sept 30th - (midnight) Oct 1st horror in Indonesia about stampede in Kanjuruhan. 1 Month, tonight, in Itaewon, again, another disaster because stampede. For (specific) UK watching (1) Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesia & (2) Itaewon South Korea horrific incident unfold - can’t think anything other than #Hillsborough (April 15, 1989, 94 died on April 15th, total was 97 died). It wasn’t a stampede. It was lethal overcrowding & young people being crushed in alleys with no way to escape.

Currently, per November 1st 1.34 pm Seoul time or at least 61 hours after stampede tragedy, 161 were dead in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu District, Seoul, South Korea. 135 Korean & 26 foreigners. November 2nd, Yoon Seok-yeol govt officially call the Itaewon crowd stampede crush an “accident” instead of “disaster” or “crush” because Itaewon “popular travel destination” for foreign tourists (*thanks for Netflix & Korean Drama).

Lee Im-jae, Chief Yongsan-gu Precinct Police, prioritize protests or rallies near Yongsan Presidential Office until 9 pm rather than response emergency 112 situation in Itaewon.

A caller plea to help about chaos crowd in Itaewon since 6.34 pm.

Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency received the first report 1 hour and 21 minutes after the accident. According to the police timeline, at 11.34 p.m. (1 hour and 19 minutes after stampede) Yongsan-gu Chief Lee Im-jae try to call Kim Kwang-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, but Commissioner Kim did not answer the call. Commissioner Kim was verbally reported of the accident during the second call by Lee Im-jae at 11.36 pm (1 hour and 21 minutes after stampede).

Commissioner Kim arrived at the scene of the accident at 0.25 am.

National Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun also received the first report at 0.14 am, 1 hour and 59 minutes after stampede.

Police had additionally put in police force (career) at midnight, more than five hours after the first report was received (6.34 pm, 1st ever plea to help by Caller to Dispatcher about chaos in Itaewon).

I set a timeline of flip flops by the Police and Government about handling a crowd in Itaewon then finally a stampede tragedy happens. At least 10 moments:

(*South Korea Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun)

minute by minute emergency alert sent to cellphone:

11.55 pm (*several local media already reported 20 dead)

0.04 am (*several local media & global media already reported 59 dead)

0.11 am (*several local media & global media already reported 59 dead)

0.51 am (*several local media & global media already reported 120 dead)

1.37 am

2.53 am

3.09 am

Hankyoreh broke the news (3.30 pm Seoul time / 30 hours after tragedy), reported that similar situation occurred in the same alley three hours (maybe around 6-6.30 pm Seoul time) before the Itaewon disaster (10-10.15 pm) but testimonies came out that the crowd was able to prevent the accident by the guidance of a woman.

11 written records or logs about call from by citizen/caller to dispatcher 112 emergency police report calls that night have been released, from 6:30 pm to just a couple minutes before what authorities have been referring to as the time the "stampede tragedy" happened (10.15pm).

11 logs detail minutes:

6.34 pm

8.09 pm

8.33 pm

8.53 pm

9.00 pm

9.02 pm

9.07 pm

9.10 pm

9.51 pm

10.00 pm

10.11 pm

"Itaewon stampede tragedy" on 10.15 pm.

Short Recap:

6:34 pm: “It looks like people are going to be squashed to death."

8:09 pm: “People are falling and hurt.. You should do something.”

8:33 pm: “There are people fallen on the street and it’s out of control."

9 pm: “We are about to have a major incident."

(1)

October 29th 2022, 6.34 pm

= (CALLER) that alley, people going up and down, looks so precarious. People can't come down and [others are] keep being pushed upwards, feels like [people] would be crushed do death. I barely got out, so much crowd, think [police] control needed

= (DISPATCHER) You're saying, people cannot walk up and down well, and big accident looks possible if people are crushed pushed fall etc?

= (C) Yes it's giving me goosebumps so much. It's such a narrow alley, everyone getting off of station walks up and that crowd mixes with those trying to get out, and there are people lining up in front of club. They are mixed. Nobody is controlling this right now. Police should stand here controlling, get some crowd out first, then let people in. People can't even come out.

= (D) Got it. Police officer will be dispatched to check

= (C) And children... ok -ok

/end/

(2)

October 29th 2022, 8.09 pm

= (CALLER) So many people congested, being pushed, it's a mess, people are falling down. It's a mess, people are being injured. regulator (officer) please. Think you should do something please

= (DISPATCHER) Where is this that there's too many people falling and injuring? (finds out location based of detector / location of caller) Yes ok, we'll check.

= (CALLER) Yes please, I ask of you. Thank you

/end/

(*beside costume about doctor or nurse with mask, no one every revelers who has celebrate Halloween in Itaewon using mask or fulfilled coronavirus protocol even on very easy rules)

Festival weeks ago before Halloween and really in front of Hamilton, no one use a mask or everything about coronavirus protocol

In another paragraph (please scrolling down) I uploaded footages that even only 70 meter or less, a lot people still dancing when stampede tragedy happens in alley, assumed that situation very / too loud so anyone even can't heard a screams from hundreds victim of stampede.

Compared with Saturday Tragedy of Stampede, survivors said they had been in the same Itaewon alleyway on Friday night, feared a crowd crush. It was hard to move who was queuing for bars.

TikTok (user: hyerinpark5) showing one woman trying to mitigate overcrowding by shouting that those walking down the hill should be let out first. This is where the deadly incident took place later: same alley near Hamilton Hotel Itaewon

Flocked crowd happens 3 times in alley near Hamilton Hotel Itaewon:

1) Friday night (October 28th), was able to prevent disaster

2) Saturday, 6-6.30 pm (October 29th), again, was able to prevent disaster

3) Stampede moment (October 29th, around 10 pm)

Even after Friday (disaster didn't happens), Yongsan-gu Precinct Police insist deploy only 137 persons or officers for the next day or Saturday to prevent a disaster if crowd repeated again too many people in same spot just for celebrating Halloween and also desperate about strictly rules of lockdown in last 3 years. (Insist to deploy only 137 officers) with reason that a workforce more prioritize to a protests in Gwanghwamun. Understaffed police officers.

according tweet by Jake Kwon (CNN journo), SBS even reminder the local public / local routine-viewers to be more careful if attend Halloween Party. “Drug Alert”, SBS reported.

Halloween parties are an event with no organizing body, very different like mass prayer or political protest in the streets. This is why, very different compared last year (coronavirus still very high across the world, not only in South Korea), from 4,600 police officers last year, this year Halloween party in Itaewon only get a security with 137 police officers. Stressed and desperate with very strictly rules of coronavirus, when this month gradually (by government) lifted several rules parallel with less number of coronavirus case, a pent-up demand to go out after nearly 3 years of pandemic, And the worst: narrow, steep streets in alley near Hamilton Hotel. When there are this many people, traffic must be closed off. Even if the turnout grew unexpectedly, (the authorities) could've checked CCTVs or even use drones and introduce one way traffic if necessary.

(*footages from Michelle Ye Hee Lee might reconfirm that 3 hours before disaster, similar situation occurred in the same alley, but able to prevent disaster Michelle Ye Hee Lee uploaded 7 pm about this photo. Everything still okay. Michelle is Seoul - Tokyo Bureau Chief for The Washington Post). With my count, Michelle is one of three journos work for global media-level and coincidentally really in [specific] Itaewon when tragedy happens, not only Seoul Metropolitan. Another journo are Kelly Kasulis Cho from WaPo too, and Sebastien Falletti from Le Figaro France). I understand if Michelle make this tragedy to be really personal not only she’s Korean, not because she’s bureau chief but because she really in meter from tragedy. She set her DM and email if anyone attendance Halloween Itaewon agree to shares a footages, and re-create to be a forensic video under The Washington Post work-investigation. She was married days ago, would be honeymoon, but decide her time to lead investigation - create a forensic video/footage Itaewon Tragedy.

156 were dead because stampede in Itaewon. Foreigners: 26; Korean: 130. Still ambiguity about my count has different 5 because addition 5 foreigners (21 since Oct 30th night, to be 26) should make a death tally from 154 (last night) to be 15 (last 2 victims are: 20 years old women Korean, 24 years old women Korean).

And 5 foreigners really different race (Caucasians) with Korean (Asiatic), so the number of death toll arguably no longer 154 but 159. 5 New data (victims) is Iranian (very different, in physically with Korean), Russian (very different), Australia (very different), France (very different), Japan (maybe similar Asiatic, but actually still have a several different with Korean in common). Foreigner (killed) with detail:

5 Iran; 4 China; 4 Russia; 2 U.S.; 2 Japan; 1 Australia; 1 Austria; 1 Kazakhstan; 1 Sri Lanka; 1 Norway; 1 Uzbekistan; 1 France; 1 Vietnam; 1 Thailand

130: Korean

(26 foreigners + 130 Korean = 156)

30 with serious injuries, 122 minor injuries. Of those who died:

11 in their teens;

104 in their 20s;

30 in their 30s;

8 in their 40s;

1 in 50s;

6 unknown

135 Koreans

26 Foreigners

29 still critical (until Nov 6th, 11.07 pm Seoul time, no clear/no update if 1 of 29 or more maybe downgrade to be minor injuries)

(Mohamed Jinath), Sri Lanka citizen. one of 26 Foreigners (dead in Itaewon)

(Jung Joo-hee)

Steven Blesi, Anne Gieski. 2 U.S. Citizens, victims about stampede in Itaewon

US Embassy in Seoul

Madina Sherniyazova or (IG) lostinincheon

2016 or earlier, South Korea to be based of modelling agencies with very active to recruit model (women, men) across the world especially Russia, ex Sovyet, & the Middle East (include like Iran). This (maybe) why 5 Iranian, 4 Russian, 1 Uzbek, 1 Kazakhstan among victims in Itaewon, regardless South Korea Government not yet to announced what occupancy or profession every victims has been killed in Itaewon. One of U.S. ctizen killed in Itaewon was Steven Blesi, a 20-year-old student, who was in Seoul for his ‘first big adventure,’ his father said.

(*I rechecked uploader of this photo, and until Monday Oct 31, 9.55 pm Seoul time, Jaewoo still missing)

Translate of conversation:
XXX refers to the victim's name, which was blurred for privacy.
2:35am - Where are you?
2:36am - I'm losing my mind. XXX. Please.
2:39am - XXX.
2:42am: Where are you? XXX. Where? Please.
3:08am - XXX. Please.
3:47am - XXX

122 more were injured (light, mild, minor), and 29 people sustained serious injuries (*before: 33 serious injuries, but 2 women unlucky died, 2 another downgrade from serious to minor injuries; so 33 - 4 = 29).

2 Injured from Indonesian already back to home or dormitory in Seoul after treatment in the separate hospital. After an apparent crowd crush during Halloween celebration in the Itaewon area of Seoul Saturday night (Oct 29th). At the moment, 115 died in hospitals, 45 at scene. (again) Forty-five (45) dead at the scene. Due to the massive scale and narrow street, it took until after 4 am on Sunday (6 hours after tragedy) for killed or injured transported to 39 hospitals.

South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol calls for crowd control systems for spontaneous event. 5 days ago President Yoon made an irresponsible statement "It's time to abandoned the mentality that prioritizes (people's) safety"

As South Korea mourns the deaths Itaewon victims, & years ago about Sewol ferry, SK government facing a tough questions about preparation in another event - celebration (Christmas, New Year Eve, Mass Prayer etc), & demands for accountability of Itaewon case.

PM Han Duck-soo has declared Yongsan-gu district where Itaewon is located as a special disaster zone, also declared national mourning until November 5th. President Yoon Suk-yeol administration has decided to give 15 million Won for funeral expense purpose per Itaewon victim. Yoon admin also pay all hospital expense for injured, completed with health insurance. SK Government also give a compensation for foreigners victim and foreigners (currently) still in treatment on hospitals. PM Han Duck-soo pledges Korea will learn lessons to prevent (Itaewon Stampede) happening again. He said, SK was safest place in earth. He gives the media his (directly) mobile number. Marks for transparency, he try to reassure to the local public and global audience that Itaewon Investigation is better than Sewol investigation.

Because government & Yongsan-gu Precinct Police failure to prevent disaster, there opinion that the civil claim or even class action for state compensation, not only 15 million Won per Itaewon victim, is worth considering.

South Korea Police Agency Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun says they received numerous calls warning of danger before Stampede in Itaewon, which they failed to process properly, he admit their response was inadequate.

(*under sorrow, mourning because stampede, and under nuclear threat)

Number reports of missing persons: 2642 still missing (according Yonhap, 1.35 pm Seoul time). According NYTimes (10.21 pm Seoul time, around 24 hours after disaster) missing persons reaches 4000.

Some footages, images may disturbing for the readers.

Rumors at the scene were that a crowd of people had flocked to a place to see a celebrity or candies laced with drugs had been distributed at clubs or bars. Victims were reportedly so tightly packed together they were "stuck together like rock" as first responders tried to pull them free. Bar / club near Hamilton, anyone can recheck itself by Google or via Tripadvisor.

Oct 26th, 3 days before stampede tragedy, has a meeting between ward offices, Yongsan-gu Precinct Police, & Itaewon retail merchants. Ward office only asked for food hygiene & waste measures in the wake coronavirus low number in SK. Yongsan-gu Police admit failure to foresee massive casualties among Itaewon crowd.

Yongsan-gu Precinct Police reportedly had a hard time controlling the crowds in Itaewon but no problem with vastly larger political crowds in recent years. Police were instead sent to oversee a protest in Gwanghwamun. The “Stamped Tragedy in Itaewon” highlighted limitations in Korea’s policies governing mass gatherings in public places, experts say. Detailed safety protocols are required of official events, like festivals, but the same does not apply to gatherings like Halloween in Itaewon.

(Reported via Hankyoreh) Yongsan-gu Precinct Police requested that subway pass without stopping at Itaewon Station only an hour after stampede in alley near Hamilton Hotel Itaewon. If you scrolling down, you might saw a footages about situation in Itaewon Station.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has arrived back South Korea, abruptly cancelling his trip in Europe for bidding Olympic host (2036 or 2040, IOC headquarter in Lausanne, Switzerland). Brisbane host 2032. Seoul was 1988. He didn't know that only 137 police deploy to Itaewon.

Ahead of the weekend, Yongsan-gu district officials planned for an array of countermeasures - coronavirus, potential drug use, restaurant safety inspections. Missing from the plan: preventing a crowd surge with an anticipated 100K people in attendance. Heavy police presence is common at mass public protests in Korea where violence may break out. On Saturday, police forces were focused on monitoring and controlling crowds at large-scale protests in other areas of Seoul (Gwanghwamun), rather than in Itaewon.

Only 200 police were deployed at this year's Halloween celebrations, compared to 4,600 last year (coronavirus still peak last year, and even rocketing started since November 2021 because Omicron Coronavirus). Last year was to control covid protocol. Crowd control has been lax for years during Halloween festivities in Seoul.

Argued that because Itaewon is global tourist spot and thanks for Netflix to popularized Itaewon, this year security measure relaxed, parallel decrease of number coronavirus daily in South Korea before Halloween. And those police that were deployed were largely their for policing of drug use, rather than crowd control. And again, why only 200 because more police already deployed for protests at Gwanghwamun. This is why (until 1.30 am Seoul, at least 29 hours after tragedy), if count victim from U.S. are 2 (not 2), total foreigners has been killed arguably high, are 21 (data by SK Foreign Ministry are 26 foreigners died, from 16 countries—-but SK Foreign Ministry data tally isn't SK Government Official Data Release).

For comparison, 700 police are deployed during Yoon Seok Yeol's daily commute. The South Korea Goernment is already in defensive mode. Minister Lee Sang-Min argues that the Itaewon disaster could not have been prevented with the deployment of police and fire officers.

Highlight again, those police that were deployed were largely their for policing of drug use, rather than crowd control, this is parallel with rumors. Rumors at the scene were that a crowd of people had flocked to a place to see a celebrity or candies laced with drugs had been distributed at clubs or bars.

HANI / Hankyoreh (not Yonhap) reported and confirmed that there were 137 police officers deployed to the scene, less than the originally reported 200. Even these were mostly plainclothes officers, with only 58 officers in uniforms. 137 Police compared 4,600 last year Halloween 🎃.

JTBC (Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company) broke another investigation: a temporary Pink Wall in “very narrow” alley. The alleyway near Hamilton Hotel where stampede happens was 3 meter wide. According South Korea Building Law, the width of the road must be at least 4 meter, but alley (tragedy of stampede) only 3 meter. And temporary wall, with 70 cm width, make a “narrow alley” was made “narrower” because this temporary pink wall.

Not clear if President Yoon Seok-yeol was asked about this “temporary wall”, clearly he watched this wall

Temporary Pink Wall; Vertical Pile; whatever define this stuff

A Temporary Pink Wall with 70 cm of width, there is an air conditioner outdoor unit inside. The tricky, still according South Korea Building Law, the (pink) remaining temporary walls, and everything like this, are not illegal. Because there is no roof, so this (temporary) wall isn’t considered a building. Because flocked crowd and “narrow” alley actually “narrower”, tragedy happens. No longer fresh oxygen, no longer density, and 45 died immediately at scene, another 115 died in hospitals. Total Death Toll (11.54 pm, Oct 31, Seoul time) 160 (115 + 45).

Another search of investigation, fake blood & police/fire/EMT Halloween costumes confused some at first. Some didn’t know the gravity of the situation. In a footages (please scrolling down to saw a several footages), captured (even) some partygoers use a infusion bag (with fake blood) completed with pole infusion/stand infusion to costume set of Halloween.

There was no formal Itaewon Halloween extravaganza organized for the entire neighborhood by a specific group. Even, no formal EO to create and guide Halloween in entire South Korea. It’s a known tradition to dress up and come here in costume. Some bars/clubs may offer discounts or throw events. Some asked why people at the bottom entrance/exit of the alley didn’t move into sidewalk & road. Some witnesses said: A vertical pile “pink temporary wall” of people formed at the bottom of the alley, & overall crowding at times led people to walk into traffic. Took hours to go down a short-narrow (*narrower, because a vertical pile grab 70 cm from 3 meter width of alley) street.

There have been wildest rumors circulating that a celebrity sighting caused this. Or some drug distribution in an anonymous bars, then the crowd flocked, moved, and tragedy of stampede finally happens.

Bodies are continuing to be recovered, so this death toll may spike further. Emergency officials received multiple reports of people unable to breathe or being crushed by others.

Tonight is Halloween night. It's one of the most (if not the most) popular nightlife event of the year. But especially this year, with almost all Coronavirus restrictions lifted, people have been desperate to go out finally. Itaewon was the most packed I've ever seen. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene of partygoers cramped into narrow streets near the Itaewon station, some trying to leave the area after a night of celebrations. Every readers can scrolling down this substack, a lot footages I uploaded that even only less 70 meters, anyone can’t heard screams because too loud.

Footage uploaded in TikTok (by user weiiiii_song, also user fairy_elyana), Yongsan-gu Precinct Police officers and firefighters also paramedics is literally screaming, tired, exhausted, but the music playing in the background is too loud. Police Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics, and Attendances (locals, foreigners) sweat too lot because it’s too hot in Itaewon especially alley near Hamilton Hotel, arguably rocketing the potential of fatalities. People are literally glued to each other and the rescuers (police, firefighter, paramedic) have to pull out the victims.

Regardless outstanding help, paramedic & firefighters also under scrutiny about Itaewon stampede tragedy. Concentrating cardiac arrest patients in one hospital is a misjudgment by firefighters team & health authorities.

Police with green dark uniform: Sergeant Kim Baek-gyeom (31 years old) of Itaewon Police Box in Yongsan-seo). 7-years police (started: since 24 years old He was initially dispatched with 2 other junior police to respond to something else (*MAYBE 1 out 11 logs CALLER - DISPATCHER emergency 112). But as he moved there, he heard screaming & found out people were crushed, some fell, pleading, "please help" & citizens were trying to rescue. He explained that too many people were already crushed, so he put out SOS to other police, whom he worked with to rescue. But people were already crushed, and pressure was getting strong, so he ran to the back of the rows. He went to one of the bar terrace, and asked citizens to move back. Unlike many thinks from the video, most of the citizens followed his lead and moved, he said. he made a call that there was no time to go back to the station and come back, as he could already see people passing out, not breathing. people who were in the middle part of the crushed crowd looked like they already passed away. After they got the crowd out, with help from citizens who volunteered & carried the bodies, immediately conducted CPR. He asked for men who were standing nearby to help for rescue, and tens ran in to help, he recalled. Police made them into groups of four, to move people. "Fire fighters, citizens, police, everybody there joined in for rescue... but so many people died," he said. "If I made a judgment a little bit faster, if I thought of a different, better measure, I would have saved more people," he said, blaming himself. "What if I [went back] and brought the megaphone ... I would have saved at least one more person," he says, breaking into tears. The only thing in his mind is how sorry he is to the bereaved families, thinking all these, he said. "When I lie down, I feel so sorry, thinking that the people who died that night are looking at me ... I keep regretting, thinking, if I made a wiser decision at the time, wouldn't I have saved at least one more?" His brother-in-law was in Itaewon that night too, and when he was rescuing, he kept thinking, I may lose a family today, he said. And now he thinks: I also felt that way when I couldn't reach him, and how heartbreaking would it be for bereaved families right now? He says he didn't want interview concerned that people will see him as a hero of some sort, which was a narrative already out there with viral videos. But the only reason for doing the interview was to say he is deeply sorry to the bereaved families, he said

Sergeant Kim Baek-gyeom says he in Itaewon with 2 junior-police officers. Maybe a guy with jacket / black parka “POLICE” is his junior

Still according Sergeant Kim, he asked for men who were standing nearby to help for rescue, and tens ran in to help, he recalled. Police made them into groups of four, to move people. Like this footage

Some people couldn't even move their limbs caught up in the crowd. Scene is quieter now as most partiers seem to have gone home, after carrying on as the chaos unfolded. US military (likely from Camp Garrison-Humphreys, 40 miles/64 km from Seoul) is doing crowd control.

After 5 days, finally another eyewitnesses reconfirm. According Kim Dae-ho (Yonhap), US military / US service members to helping evacuation process in Itaewon are:

Jamil Taylor (40)

Jerome Augusta (34)

& Dane Vitas (32)

A Pakistani nurse work in SK also helping >40 people's with CPR.

Officials believe the stampede was in a narrow street near Hamilton Hotel. Some were found in other streets but they're believed to have been people who fled the narrow street.

In several photos (not entirely), someone South Korean citizen admit that only less than 70 meter near alley “stampede tragedy”, and even after 🚒 fire fighters plus ambulance arrived near alley, another people were still dancing, laughing, celebrate Halloween 🎃. This is very solid proof that situation too loud, screams from hundred victims can't even be heard by another in the same spot. Yongsan-gu Precinct Police Officers and firefighters also paramedics is literally screaming, tired, exhausted, but the music playing in the background is too loud. Police Officers, Firefighters, Paramedics, and Attendances (locals, foreigners) sweat too lot because it’s too hot in Itaewon especially alley near Hamilton Hotel, arguably rocketing the potential of fatalities.

Green Sign: Itaewon. Station only 5 minutes of walk from alley / crime scene of stampede, alley near Hamilton Hotel Itaewon. (Via Hankyoreh) Yongsan-gu Precinct Police requested that subway pass without stopping at Itaewon Station only an hour after stampede in alley near Hamilton Hotel

(Footlocker Shoes Shop, near Itaewon Subway Station)

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Itaewon is the most vibrant diverse neighborhood in Seoul and in entire South Korea. Boisterous, bustling, packed with 🍻 pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants. For South Korea, an unusually homogeneous, hierarchical, xenophobic, homophobic society, Itaewon has served as a place to breathe for so many minorities. Perhaps only place in Seoul. This is why models, expatriates, foreign tourist hang out in Itaewon.

Seoul city is compiling roster of people calling in to ask about their missing loved ones, centered in Yongsan Soonchunyang University Hospital. Sadly, there are so many tone-deaf postings on social media amid Korean citizen.

Several hospitals: 1) Soonchunyang University 2) Dongguk Univ Ilsan 3) Ewha Womans Univ 4) St. Vincent's 5) SNU

Some difficulties to identify the remain of the victims since many were wearing Halloween costumes & weren't carrying ID card because attending the festivities. Via UK Embassy in Seoul, "If you are in need of assistance please call +82 (0)2 3210 5500 ". Indonesia embassy in Seoul hotline 010-5394-2546. Not yet hotline from another Embassies. At least 2 U.S. citizens still missing, and 23 hours after tragedy, U.S. Embassy in Seoul so far 2 U.S. citizen has been killed in “Stampede Tragedy” Itaewon.

Until 4 hours of Stampede Tragedy, surreal moment:

streets near Hamilton Hotel until Noksapyeong Station still packed with people in Halloween costumes, continues enjoyed night out, because pub or bars 🍻 still open. Yonsan / Yongsan precinct police begged them to return home, they refused.

No drug reports related to the tragedy in Itaewon. Yongsan-gu Precint Police declining to answer questions on police presence at Itaewon or Hamilton Hotel was a known crowding hazard to anticipated a stampede. Yongsan-gu Precinct Police did not expect larger Halloween (people desperate because 3 years strictly coronavirus then go out finally in Halloween this year). Police were instead sent to oversee a protest in Gwanghwamun.

Timeline rocketing death toll hour by hour:

Lives lost 3 (reported 10.55 pm local time or Seoul time / 1.55 am in Jakarta / 12.55 pm in NYC)

Lives lost 20 (reported 11.30 pm local time / Seoul time)

Lives lost 59 (00.05 am local time / Seoul time)

Lives lost 81 (00.25 am local time / Seoul time)

Lives lost 120 (00.50 am local time / Seoul time)

Lives lost 146 (4 am local time / Seoul time)

Lives lost 149 (6.53 am local time)

Lives lost 151 (10.43 am local time). Detail 151: 97 female, 54 male. Detail 151: 19 foreigners, 132 local.

Lives lost 153 (5.09 pm local time. 22 foreigners from 5 countries, 131 local/South Korean citizen)

Lives lost 153 (7.00 pm local time. 20 foreigners, revise from 22; 133 local/South Korean citizen)

Lives lost 154 (9.13 pm local/Seoul time. 21 foreigners; 133 local/South Korean citizen/ Latest fatalities among foreigners is U.S. citizen, because US Embassy in Seoul confirm that U.S. citizen killed in Itaewon not 1 but 2)

Lives lost 159 (1.05 pm Seoul time, Oct 31 or 39 hours after tragedy). 133 Koreans, 26 Foreigners.

Lives lost 160 (11.54 pm, Oct 31, or 50 hours after tragedy, new victim is 24 years old women Korean). 134 Korea, 26 Foreigners.

Lives lost 161 (1.34 pm, Nov 1st, or 61 hours after tragedy, new victim is 20 years old women Korean). 135 Korea, 26 Foreigners.

2,642 persons reportedly missing.

39 Hospitals set for victims and injuries. Several hospitals: 1) Soonchunyang University 2) Dongguk Univ Ilsan 3) Ewha Womans Univ 4) St. Vincent's 5) SNU