South Korean Police Chief Indicted for 2022 Halloween Crush in Seoul

South Korean prosecutors have indicted the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for the tragic incident that occurred during the Halloween celebrations in 2022. The charges come more than a year after the incident, in which a crush of people in Seoul resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries.

The incident took place in Itaewon, a leisure district in the capital, where celebrants were enjoying Halloween festivities. A large crowd surged into a narrow alley, trapping and crushing those in its path. The majority of the victims, over two-thirds, were young people or women.

Immediately following the incident, the police launched a thorough investigation. A 475-person task force was deployed to determine the cause of the disaster. Investigators meticulously reviewed security camera footage and conducted interviews with witnesses to understand how such a large number of lives were lost in a short period of time.

On the night of the incident, 137 police officers were deployed to control the crowds in the central Seoul district. It is estimated that over 100,000 people attended the Halloween celebrations, making crowd control a challenging task for law enforcement.

Source: CBS News

Reports indicate that a significant number of casualties in Seoul were foreigners, with approximately 20 of the deceased coming from countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and others. Additionally, the U.S. State Department confirmed that two American college students were among the victims. Anne Gieske, a junior nursing student from the University of Kentucky, tragically lost her life in the incident. Similarly, Steven Blesi, an international business major from Kennesaw State University, was also among those who perished.

President Biden expressed his condolences on Twitter, stating that he and first lady Jill Biden were deeply saddened by the news of the American lives lost in Seoul.