As per reports, the Seoul Metropolitan Police and Yongsan District authorities have intensified security and crowd-management arrangements in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ahead of Halloween celebrations on Saturday (31 October).
The measures are aimed at preventing crowd-related accidents, violent incidents and potential terrorist threats.
• On Friday (30 October), eight police special forces personnel and two explosive-detection dogs conducted preventive patrols along the approximately 300-metre-long Itaewon World Food Culture Street, including inspections of surrounding streets and business entrances.
• A police special forces armoured vehicle was also stationed near Itaewon Station as part of visible security arrangements.
• The Yongsan Police Station will deploy approximately 370 police officers on Saturday (31 October) to manage crowds in coordination with the fire department and Yongsan District Office.
• The deployment will include 10 police special forces personnel, supported by an armoured vehicle and explosive-detection dogs.
• In addition, seven detective teams, 20 personnel from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s wide-area patrol unit and police patrol vehicles will be deployed to prevent violent crimes and respond to security incidents.
• Police have identified Itaewon World Food Culture Street and six adjoining sloped alleyways as key crowd-management areas requiring heightened monitoring.
• The Yongsan District Office has estimated that approximately 165,000 people may visit Itaewon until Sunday (01 November) during the designated Halloween safety-management period.
• The highest concentration of visitors is expected between 2100 hours (local time) on Saturday (31 October) and 0100 hours (local time) on Sunday (01 November), with crowd numbers expected to begin declining around 0300 hours–0400 hours (local time) on Sunday (01 November).
• In addition, from 1800 hours (local time) on Saturday (31 October), all four lanes of Itaewon-ro between Itaewon 119 Safety Centre and the area near Noksapyeong Station/Noksapyeong Square will be closed to vehicular traffic and converted into pedestrian space.
• One lane will be retained for emergency vehicles, including police and emergency response units.
• If crowd density increases, authorities will restrict entry into World Food Culture Street from both ends and introduce one-way pedestrian movement along the six adjoining sloped alleyways.
• Red pedestrian-control fences have also been installed along the street to regulate movement and prevent overcrowding.
• Depending on crowd density, station entrances and exits may be operated separately to regulate passenger movement. Under crowded conditions, Exits 01 and 02 may be designated for entry, while Exits 03 and 04 will be used for exit.
• If crowd density reaches a severe level, authorities may restrict station entry and consider having trains pass through Itaewon Station without stopping, in coordination with relevant agencies.
• Yongsan District Office has installed six intelligent CCTV cameras along World Food Culture Street to monitor crowd density in real time. An additional three CCTV cameras have been installed on the roof of Hamilton Hotel to monitor pedestrian movement across the area.
Categories: Travel Risks - Other
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