South Korea's deadly Halloween crush was avoidable, experts say

FILE PHOTO: Rescue teams and firefighters work at the scene where people were killed and injured in a crush during Halloween festivities in Seoul, South Korea, October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Hong-ji/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) - Proper crowd and traffic control by South Korean authorities could have prevented or at least reduced the surge of Halloween party-goers in alleys that led to a crush and the deaths of 154 people, safety experts said on Monday.

The annual festivities in the popular nightlife area of Itaewon in Seoul also did not have a central organising entity, which meant government authorities were not required to establish or enforce safety protocols.