Korean psychiatrists raised serious concerns over the online videos showing the tragedy of the crowd crush in Itaewon on Saturday night, saying such footage could inflict additional psychological trauma on the bereaved family.

According to emergency officials as of 9 a.m. on Monday, 154 people, mostly those in their 20s and 30s celebrating Halloween, were killed and 149 were injured in a crush in a narrow alley in Itaewon. 

Many youngsters roam around behind the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon to spend their weekend outings in March 2020.
Many youngsters roam around behind the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon to spend their weekend outings in March 2020.

 

Thirty-three people among the injured were in serious condition, officials said. 

Among the deceased, 26 were foreigners -- Five from Iran, four from China, four from Russia, two from Japan, two from the U.S., one each from France, Australia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Norway, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Austria, according to the fire authorities.  

The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNA) released a statement on Sunday, expressing condolences and appealing to people not to share horrific videos and photos.

“While the entire nation is saddened by the tragic tragedy that occurred in Itaewon, the KNA also expresses its deepest condolences,” the KNA said. 

“Horrible videos and photos at the time of the accident are being shared without any filtration through social media. Such actions can damage the reputation of the deceased and victims and lead to secondary damage.”

The KNA went on to say that hate speeches online in a disaster situation aggravate the trauma of the bereaved family and those who were at the scene and spreading unconfirmed rumors could hamper their recovery. 

The group of neuropsychiatrists also noted that the bereaved family and acquaintances of those who died, the injured and their families, eyewitnesses, and rescue personnel were expected to suffer a great shock and that they would need large-scale mental health support.

“As in the cases of national disasters such as the 2014 sewol ferry sinking and the recent Covid-19 pandemic, we need cooperation from experts in the private sector,” the KNA said, vowing that the KNA members would actively work together for the recovery of those who were affected by the tragedy.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Sunday that it would provide psychological support for around 1,000 people affected by the Itaewon crush disaster.

The ministry will set up “Itaewon Accident Integrated Psychological Support Group” in the National Trauma Center. For this, Seoul and Yongsan District’s mental health welfare centers will collaborate.

The psychological support will go to about 1,000 bereaved families, (approximately four per deceased), 150 injured people, and about 1,000 witnesses, the ministry said.

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