Seoul: A stream of people visited the scene of the tragic crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon district to mourn the victims and lay flowers on Wednesday, marking the disaster's third anniversary. In the narrow alley where 159 people were killed during Halloween festivities on Oct. 29, 2022, bouquets of chrysanthemums were neatly placed along with messages of condolence written by visitors, and memorial tablets and incense were also seen on makeshift tables.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi Hun-nyeong, a 26-year-old man, was one of the mourners. He came to the Itaewon alley with his friends at around 6 a.m. to offer incense to the victims. "I offered my condolences because I felt heavy. I honestly can't believe something like the disaster happened here. I hope many people would remember this and this kind of incident doesn't happen again," Choi said. Nearby, at the same time, a Buddhist monk was sweeping up the trash scattered on the alley. "I came from Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, for the memorial service at 9 a.m. I'm offering my condolences to the souls of those who perished," the monk said. "It's deeply regrettable that the Halloween festival is being resumed before the bereaved families' pain has even subsided."
Nearby shops were decked out in Halloween decorations, such as pumpkins and ghosts, but the atmosphere was generally subdued. Barricades and fences were erected in the Itaewon alleys to control crowds. The bereaved families and the interior ministry jointly held the third anniversary memorial service on Gwanghwamun Square on Wednesday morning. It began with a moment of silence for the victims and a siren sounding throughout the capital.