How crowd crush tragedy took place in Seoul’s Itaewon and How can such disasters be prevented?

Over 150 people died in Seoul in a crowd crush during Halloween celebrations. It happened in one of the most popular districts in Seoul. Around 100,000 people gathered in Itaewon's sloping, narrow streets for Halloween. Most people were young, in their 20s. Chaos ensued around 10 pm as crowds surged in different directions and people lost footing. It caused a domino effect. It led to people falling and knocking others down, suffocating others and the result was people getting trapped under others. People tried to escape, but around 150 lost their lives.

What is Crowd Crush?

Prof Edwin Galea, the University of Greenwich crowd behavior expert, says that unmanaged, overcrowding crowds and wide paths narrowing are a disaster recipe. All the factors were present in Itaewon which led to a disaster. The risk of accidents increases when around four to six people are in a square meter. A crowd crush happens when several people try to get in or out of a confined area. People might get squeezed to a point where they can't breathe and can suffer compressive asphyxiation. Often the people who die are pushed against walls.

How can such disasters be prevented?

Crowd management is the key. Anticipating crowd numbers for such events happening around us can help prevent such disasters. A restrictive number of guests to be allowed at such gatherings is also essential.

FAQs

Q1. Are crowd crushes preventable?
A1. Experts say crowd crushes are avoidable, predictable, and preventable.

Q2. When does a crow crush happen, and what is its consequence?
A2. A crowd crush happens when several people try to get in or out of a confined area. People might get squeezed to a point where they can't breathe and can suffer compressive asphyxiation.

Q3. Where did the crowd crush in Seoul happen?
A3. Itaewon