The Korea Herald and MBN reported Seoul live-data estimates of up to 158,000 people across Itaewon and Hongdae at 8 a.m. ET Saturday (9 p.m. KST Oct. 31), four years after the crowd crush.
Their district estimates differed. The Korea Herald put Hongdae at 120,000 to 125,000 people and Itaewon at 30,000 to 32,000, while MBN reported ranges of 125,000 to 130,000 in Hongdae and 26,000 to 28,000 in Itaewon. Seoul’s data guide says the telecom-based population estimates may differ from actual attendance.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) says the Oct. 29, 2022, Itaewon crowd crush killed 159 people and injured 196. Yonhap reported memorial groups gathered at Noksapyeong Station Square at 8 a.m. ET (9 p.m. KST) Saturday, then marched through Itaewon until about 10 a.m. ET (11 p.m. KST).
Seoul’s plan named 14 crowd-management areas across 10 districts and called for 3,271 safety personnel and 361 crowd-detection cameras. The document lists 2,011 public and 1,200 private personnel, components totaling 3,211 and leaving a 60-person gap against the stated deployment. It also called for vehicle restrictions on Itaewon-ro and one lane of Hongdae’s club street on Oct. 31; the city said Halloween falling on Saturday contributed to its expectation of larger crowds.
MOIS placed 28 areas nationwide under crowd management and issued a Caution alert through Nov. 1.
Yonhap reported Seoul Metro Line 6 trains bypassed Itaewon Station from 10:47 to 10:59 a.m. ET (11:47-11:59 p.m. KST on Oct. 31), with the last train passing during that interval. District officials urged passengers to use nearby stations.
Newsis and Yonhap reported police testing found no narcotics in candy handed out by a person wearing an owl costume, after suspicion circulated online. In an update early Nov. 1 in South Korea, Yonhap said authorities had received some minor medical calls but reported no major incidents by then. Seoul’s special safety period and the ministry’s alert were scheduled to remain in effect through Nov. 1.
