The report was eagerly awaited: the South Korean police published their investigation into the deadly stampede which killed 159 people on October 29 in Seoul. The drama is due to negligence, according to investigators. But no senior official is singled out, which disappoints the relatives of victims.
On the evening of October 29, thousands of young costumed revelers crowd the narrow alley of the Itaewon district, known for its trendy bars.
Around 5 p.m., a few hours before the Halloween party turns tragic, there are already a lot of people. Around 9 p.m., it is no longer possible to move forward, the crowd is too dense. But the police do not intervene.
The first person falls to the ground around 10:15 p.m. Four more follow within fifteen seconds, triggering the stampede.
“No appropriate action has been taken”
For ten long minutes, the revelers at the top of the street will continue to push down, where dozens of bodies are already beginning to pile up, trapped and crushed.
The police report is clear: No proper action was taken, even after emergency calls. »
The former district police commissioner and Yongsan district chief are now in custody, for negligence causing the death of others.
The investigators, however, refrained from naming officials in the government or the police, to the chagrin of the families of victims who say they are disappointed.
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