On the night of October 31, 2015, a Saturday, I passed by Itaewon on my way home to Hannam-dong in the Yongsan District of Seoul.
I was taking the Subway Line 6 from Gongdeok Station to Hangangjin Station, but I decided to get off at Itaewon Station to see what Halloween thing was going on there.
When I came out of Exit 4 of Itaewon Station, what welcomed me was a huge crowd of Itaewon revelers who were there to party.
It was the the biggest crowd that I have ever seen in Itaewon, bigger than the crowds during the Itaewon Village Festival (read blog here) The crowd consisted mostly of young people, probably students, I thought.
Never have I thought it was a tragedy waiting to happen.
I know that narrow alley behind Hamilton Hotel too well. My friends and I have been to those nice restaurants located along that alley.
Last Saturday night's tragedy was a shock to everyone, especially to me and my friends who used to have fun there in Itaewon.
We remember the victims and their families in our prayers during All Souls' Day.🙏
(This is the welcome arch of Itaewon that greets everyone at the Noksapyeong side)
#Itaewon #ItaewonHalloween #Itaewonstampede #Seoul #Korea
