Tourism ministry wants pre-emptive measures to prevent ‘Itaewon tragedy’ during upcoming festivities
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has asked concerned government agencies to intensify countermeasures during the approaching festivals, such as Loy Krathong, Christmas, and New Year, to avoid an “incident” like what happened during Halloween celebrations in South Korea last weekend.
Tourism and Sports minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that provincial authorities had already implemented safety countermeasures for the festive events during end-of-the-year festivities, such as Loy Krathong, Christmas, and New Year, but with the additional measures from police and other related agencies.
The ministry also told Tourist Police, along with other local authorities, to enhance their safety countermeasures and ensure an emergency safety plan, especially regarding crowd control and fire evacuation at a festival event.
The chief of Tourist Police has also ordered high-ranking police to oversee designated places that hold events to control the number of visitors attending the event so as to prevent an incident similar to the Itaewon stampede.
The Itaewon tragedy, which killed 156 people and left 172 injured, occurred after more than 100,000 partygoers and tourists were crushed in a narrow alleyway of the Itaewon nightlife district in Seoul during Halloween celebrations last Saturday (October 29).
