2023-10-27 15:39:21
(AFP, Seoul, 27th) As the anniversary of the Itaewon stampede in South Korea approaches, a survivor recalled, “I mightn’t breathe.” Although she escaped, she suffered from psychological trauma and later relied on writing to heal her body and mind. I wrote a book regarding my own experience, hoping to continue to preserve everyone’s memory of the victims in words.
On October 29 last year, in the Itaewon area of Seoul, where nightclubs gathered, tens of thousands of young people poured into the narrow alleys to celebrate the first Halloween without COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic prevention restrictions in three years. Unexpectedly, a serious incident occurred. The stampede killed 159 people. The South Korean police pointed out that insufficient preparation and improper response were the main causes of the accident.
As the anniversary of the Itaewon stampede approaches, Agence France-Presse reported today that 33-year-old survivor Kim Cho-long (transliteration) was interviewed and said that he has been going to Itaewon for Halloween parties for many years, but has never I’ve seen as many crowds as last year.
There were so many people that she tripped over quickly and was even unable to breathe until her friends saw her and quickly pulled her out of the crowd and took refuge in a nearby bar.
Jin Zuoyong recalled: “I was trapped in the crowd and was pushed back and forth.” She also wrote a book regarding her experience, titled “Am I a Disaster Survivor?” (tentative translation) )
She recalled that she and her friends hid in a nearby bar and the chaos lasted for several hours. She didn’t know what happened, or even that she was so close to death.
Kim Joo-yong later walked to the streets of Itaewon and saw many people lying on the streets receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). “Ambulances stopped everywhere and many people were taken away, but despite this, I didn’t expect those people at the time. died”.
Frightened, she walked for several hours and finally returned home. “I mightn’t close my eyes to sleep for two days in a row, as if I was possessed. I mightn’t turn off the TV news. I mightn’t eat or sleep. I might only drink water, and then I kept sleeping.” watch the news”.
As a writer, Jin Zuoyong has been suffering from survivor’s guilt. The counselor later suggested that writing down her emotions might help her digest what she had experienced.
For her, “all citizens living in South Korea are survivors of the Itaewon disaster.” She hopes that this book can be translated into English and plans to continue writing regarding the Itaewon incident, hoping that everyone’s memory of all the victims will last forever.
There are many survivors who still suffer from lingering fears. CNN reported that 22-year-old Hye Minyi (transliteration) went to a street bar in Itaewon with her relatives last year. The scene at that time is still vivid in her mind. “I still have nightmares almost every day,” she said.
Another survivor surnamed Lee told CNN that she had never been to Itaewon following the incident and tried to avoid anything related to Halloween. “This year’s Halloween is not just for me, but for many people. These are very painful days.”
South Korean officials said they have strengthened crowd control, security measures and on-site patrols in at least 14 areas in Seoul where large crowds may be expected to celebrate Halloween.
The Itaewon incident in South Korea is approaching its anniversary, and survivors are still traumatized.
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