After S Korea Halloween Stampede, President's Call For Crowd Management

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol called on Tuesday for safety measures to prevent crowd accidents.

South Korea moved to quell public anger Tuesday over a Halloween party crush that killed more than 150 people, mostly young adults, promising a swift and intense investigation and calling for tough new safety measures to prevent similar disasters.

The death toll from cannons at a crowded Halloween street party on Saturday rose to 156 people and 151 were injured, 29 of them seriously. At least 26 citizens from 14 countries were among the dead.

Tens of thousands of revelers - many in their teens and twenties and in costume -

I jammed the narrow streets and alleys of the popular Itaewon district for the first almost unrestrained Halloween celebrations in three years.

National Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-kyun said crowd control at the scene was "inadequate". The country's top security officer, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min,

He said the deployment of more police would not have prevented the disaster.

"I feel boundless responsibility for public safety over this incident and will do everything in my power to make sure that such a tragedy does not happen again," Yoon said at a news conference.

"Police will quickly and thoroughly conduct extensive searches and investigations in all aspects without exception to clarify the truth of this incident," Yoon added.

President Yoon Seok Yeol declared a week of national mourning, saying that the country has witnessed many safety disasters. He said better responses are critical, including better crowd control.

“We must come up with concrete safety measures to manage crowds,

Not only in the streets where this massive disaster occurred but in other places such as stadiums and concert venues where large crowds gather.”

All the victims were identified and memorial altars were held in Seoul City Hall and in Itaewon District, where citizens paid their respects.

BY
ProBuzzFeed