Citizens beware… The police and related authorities are making all-out efforts for safety management
Delayed for over a month due to the Itaewon disaster… Gwangan Bridge, etc.
The Busan Fireworks Festival, held as the largest event since the Itaewon disaster, ended safely despite concerns over safety accidents.
At 7:00 pm on the 17th, the fireworks festival, which opened a splendid curtain amidst the cold weather with the perceived temperature dropping below freezing, did not attract more crowds than in previous years.
However, the authorities concerned did not relax until the last moment, fearing that an accident might occur.
As the event ended at 8:00 PM and a large number of people left at once, the citizens seemed to be cautious of themselves, fearing that something unfortunate might happen.
Wrapped in blankets and other cold-weather items, they walked slowly, following the steps of the people ahead.
Police and safety officers in fluorescent clothes held up red light sticks and guided people to the exit so that people might easily escape.
Nearby Gwangan Station and Geumnyeonsan Station, where many people are returning home, were crowded at once, causing some congestion on the surrounding roads.
Two police officers climbed onto a platform installed on top of the vehicle to manage the crowds, and the ‘DJ Police’ stopped at an intersection and asked for safety with loudspeakers, saying, “Go slowly” and “Please use another station.”
The event, which will be held for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 crisis, was originally scheduled to be held on the 5th of last month, but was delayed for more than a month due to the Itaewon disaster.
This year’s theme is ‘Emotional Harmony Singing Busan with Fireworks’.
On this day, from 5:00 pm, fireworks started to be fired at 30-minute intervals, raising the atmosphere, and from 6:00 pm, a ‘fireworks talk show’ with citizens was held for 50 minutes.
At 7:00 pm, an opening ceremony was held to wish for the Busan World Expo 2030, followed by a multi-fireworks show in Busan.
The 25-inch super-large fireworks embroidered the night sea with the Gwangan Bridge in the background, and when a scene reminiscent of Niagara and Iguazu Falls was created, the audience burst into exclamation.
As the event was held in the middle of winter, the number of visitors decreased slightly compared to the previous year, with a total of 704,200 visitors.
This fireworks festival was the largest event since the Itaewon disaster on October 29th, so the city of Busan and related authorities made an all-out effort for safety management.
About 4,000 safety personnel, including civil servants, firefighters, coast guards, private security company employees, and volunteers, were deployed to the scene, and the police deployed 1,200 people, including 13 squadrons of riot police and special forces.
Busan City implemented a crowd cap system at 16 access roads to Gwangalli Beach, the main venue, and controlled access step by step and induced detours when a large number of people gathered at once.
/yunhap news