Itaewon Disaster Responders Suffer Fatal PTSD After 2022 Crowd Crush
Two South Korean firefighters who responded to the October 2022 Itaewon crowd crush died by suicide in 2023 after suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, according to news.mtn.co.kr. The tragedy, which claimed 159 lives in a narrow Seoul alley, exposed systemic safety failures by police and local authorities who failed to manage anticipated crowds or restrict subway station access in time.
Police Investigation Identifies Crowd Management Failures in Itaewon
The National Police Agency’s special investigation team concluded in January 2023 that relationship agencies failed to enact proper preventive measures despite expected heavy gatherings. Investigators identified a phenomenon known as crowd fluidization, where dense packs of people lose physical control of their movement. The absence of timely crowd management and the failure to execute a pass-through stop at Itaewon Station allowed an unmanageable volume of pedestrians to funnel into the steep sloping alley.
Recognition of Responders as Official Victims
The special investigation committee tasked with uncovering the truth behind the tragedy recognized the two firefighters as the 161st and 162nd victims of the disaster in August. The committee established a direct link between the rescue work the firefighters performed and their subsequent deaths, noting they suffered severe trauma without receiving adequate institutional support or mental health treatment. A local merchant who participated in rescue operations and later experienced severe psychological aftereffects was also recognized as an official victim in June.
Rescue Workers Face Trauma as Seoul Plans Memorial Events
An anonymous firefighter who responded to the Itaewon scene told news.mtn.co.kr that participating rescue workers continue to experience debilitating psychological trauma, relying on alcohol to sleep while facing intense investigative scrutiny soon after the disaster. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety scheduled a joint memorial event with bereaved families, civic groups, and the Seoul metropolitan government at Seoul Plaza. A formal fourth-anniversary remembrance ceremony is scheduled for Gwanghwamun Square with approximately 1,000 attendees, including government and party representatives, lawmakers, and members of the public.