On October 29, in an alleyway near the Hamilton Hotel and Itaewon station exit 1, a crowd started forming. At the peak of the Halloween festival, people were swarming the area to party with friends and family. At 22:08, screams were heard along the claustrophobic alley.
At 22:17, the ‘crowd crush’ started spreading. An attendee reported that a group of men allegedly pushed partygoers in, which led to a domino effect. Resulting in a pile of bodies, five to six persons deep. The disaster grew. Most of the attendees entering the alleyway had no clue what was happening. A viral video showed partygoers allegedly refusing emergency rescue to reach the scene.
159 deaths were officially recorded.
A public investigation ensued. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, on Monday, declared to introduce an impeachment motion against the interior minister. Criticisms from many sides pointed towards the alleged ineffective response of the government to the Itaewon crowd crush.
The DPK requested the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, to relieve Interior Minister Lee Sang-min of his title and duties. To hold him responsible for the tragedy that took 159 lives. The presidential office remarked that they would consider the request after official investigations of the crowd crush are concluded.
