This article includes descriptions of graphic content that may disturb some readers.
According to an exclusive report by SBS, the police received 79 reports coming from the Itaewon area starting about four hours before the crowd surge took place. There were some police officers who had finished working near Itaewon, but they were not sent to the scene of the accident.
The alley where the crowd surge took place on the night of October 29 | Yonhap
Out of the 79 reports, 11 of them were received between the hours of 6 PM-10 PM KST. The police have released transcripts of the 11 reports.
Investigation taking place in Itaewon | Yonhap
As evident from the transcripts, many of these calls imply urgency and seriousness at the scene. Below are the full transcripts of the 11 reports that were released by the police.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #1
112 Report Receipt Transcript #1
Date and Case Number: 22.10.29 6:34 PM/ No. 8938
Police: This is emergency report 112.
Caller: I’m at the entrance of Itaewon Main Street.
Police: Itaewon Main Street, ok.
Caller: Hello, you know the Hamilton Hotel on the way to the clubs? The alleyway with the Emart 24 convenience store.
Police: Yes, the Emart 24 convenience store in the alleyway by the Hamilton Hotel.
Caller: Yes, some people are going up and down the alley, and I’m a bit worried. People can’t come down, and I think people will get crushed because they keep getting pushed upwards.
Police: So you’re worried a crowd surge accident could happen because it’s hard for people to get by?
Caller: Yes, yes, I’m creeped out. The alleyway is narrow, and everyone coming out of Itaewon station comes up this way and gets mixed with the people trying to get out of the alley. They are also getting combined with the line for the clubs, blocking the people coming up so they can come down…
Police: People in line for the clubs? You mean the people in the alley and the people in line.
Caller: Yes, all the people coming out from the main street and all the people who come out of Itaewon station exit one go into that alleyway.
Police: Ah, the people coming out of Itaewon Station and out of the alleyway are crowding.
Caller: Right, there is no one controlling this. The police need to come and help get people to come out before letting people in the alleyway. They can’t come out, but people keep coming in.
Police: Alright, we will send the police to look at the situation.
Caller: The kids too, okay.
Police: Okay.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #2
112 Report Receipt Transcript #2
Date and Case Number: 22.10.29 8:09 PM/ No. 9986
Police:This is emergency report 112.
Caller: This is the police, right?
Police: Yes.
Caller: Ok, so this is Itaewon.
Police: Yes.
Caller: We can’t move because so many people are being pushed and getting hurt.
Police: Ok.
Caller: So I think we need some police force here to do something about this.
Police: Where is the location of people falling and getting hurt?
Caller: Across from Itaewon Station, exit three.
Police: Across from Itaewon Station, exit three?
Caller: Yes, yes
Police: Across the street?
Caller: Yes, across the street.
Police: Ok, we will go and take a look.
Caller: Yes, thank you.
Police: Ok.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #3
112 Report Receipt Transcript #3
Date and case number: 22.10.29 8:33 PM/ No. 10264
Police: This is 112
Caller: Yes, Hi, I am in front of Waikiki in Itaewon.
Police: Waikiki?
Caller: Yes, I am in front of the Waikiki store at the three-way intersection.
Police: Yes.
Caller: There are so many people crowded over here.
Police: Ok.
Caller: There are people on the ground, and I think an accident might happen; it looks dangerous.
Police: People are falling?
Caller: Yes, people are falling, and no one is controlling this. And the three-way intersection is getting crowded.
Police: Ok.
Caller: I think something big might happen here.
Police: Ah, I see.
Caller: Yes, it’s really serious.
Police: Ah…
Caller: I have a video of this. Is there any way to send it to you?
Police: You can text it to 112.
Caller: Ah, ok, I will send it now.
Police: Ok, we will come and take a look.
Caller: Ok, so I can text it to 112?
Police: Yes, yes.
Caller: Do I have to do it with my phone, or can I send it using my friend’s phone?
Police: Ah, you can use your friend’s phone.
Caller: Ok, ok, ok (tells person next to the caller to send to 112) got it.
Police: Ok.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #4
112 Report Receipt Transcript #4
Date and case number: 22.10.29 8:53 PM/ No. 10489
Police: This is 112.
Caller: Ah yes, Hi, this is **.
Police: Hello? (Can’t hear the phone)
Caller: I’m in Itaewon, Itaewon.
Police: Ah, I can’t hear you well.
Caller: There are so many people (phone crackles). I think people will get crushed, and we are at BROMZ Lounge (phone crackles).
Police: Ah, which lounge?
Caller: Ah Bron, B-R-O-M-N-Z.
Police: What is your situation?
Caller: Ah, there are so many people (phone crackles) that I am (phone crackles).
Police: Sorry? I will track your location.
Caller: (phone crackles) so many people they are getting crushed.
Police: They are getting crushed?
Caller: It’s because there are so many people (phone crackles). We need some help.
Police: Is it because of the Halloween party?
Caller: Yes, yes. It’s chaos over here, chaos.
Police: It’s chaos?
Caller: Yes, it’s crazy (telling the person beside them, “Ok, ok.”)
Police: I’m sorry, but could you spell it out for me again?
Caller: Yes, it’s B-R-O-M-Z (phone crackles). It’s crazy. This is not a prank call.
Police: Ah, Bronze, Bronze Bar?
Caller: Not Bronze, but behind that (phone crackles)
Police: Ah, the alleyway behind Bronze?
Caller: Yes, yes.
Police: Do I follow up that road?
Caller: Yes, yes, yes.
Police: Ok, the police will go now.
Caller: Ok.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #5
112 Report Receipt Transcript #5
Date and case number: 22.10.29 9:00 PM/ No. 10602
Police: This is 112.
Caller: Yes, Hi, this is Itaewon.
Police: Yes.
Caller: There are so many people over here that we are on the verge of a big accident. Everyone’s getting pushed, and we need someone here to control this.
Police: Where is your location?
Caller: If you type ‘Pishon,’ does it come up?
Police: I will track your location.
Caller: Yes, I think you will have to come right now.
Police: Is it near Itaewon station?
Caller: (asks a passerby) Where is this location? Next to BROMZ. The crowd is getting pushed.
Police: BROMZ?
Caller: Yes, BROMZ. I think you are going to have to be an emergency dispatch.
Police: Ah, so are there a lot of people?
Caller: Yes, they are stuck. I think something big is going to happen soon.
Police: Is it because of the Halloween event?
Caller: Yes, yes.
Police: Ok.
Caller: The people are getting pushed now. I’ve been rescued.
Police: Ok, so you are in front of BROMZ.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #6
112 Report Receipt Transcript #6
Date and case number: 22.10.29 9:02 PM / No. 10635
Police: This is 112.
Caller: Hello, I’m at Itaewon street.
Police: Yes.
Caller: There are so many people.
Police: Yes.
Caller: People are getting pushed in the street. I think an accident might happen. It’s crazy over here. Itaewon, Joongang-ro, Itaewon.
Police: What store are you in front of?
Caller: (talking to oneself) This store…what’s the store’s name?
Caller: (asks a passerby) what is the name of this store? One second. Y 179.
Police: Ok, we will file a report.
Caller: Yes, please do something about this street. I think someone will die.
Police: Ok.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #7
112 Report Receipt Transcript #7
Date and case number: 22.10.29 9:07 PM/ No. 10697
Police: This is 112.
Caller: Hello.
Police: Yes, this is emergency dispatch.
Caller: Yes, Hi, this is Itaewon Halloween street.
Police: Yes.
Caller: I’m by the meeting place and bar alley. There are so many people here that I think people might get crushed.
Police: Is it ok to track your location? Caller? Is it okay to track your location?
Caller: Yes, please track it. It’s by the meeting place and bar.
Police: The meeting place and bar?
Caller: Yes, yes.
Police: Ok, we will go now.
Caller: Please come and (unable to confirm) here. Please come and control this and make it a one-way street.
Police: Ok.
Caller: Yes, thank you.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #8
112 Report Receipt Transcript #8
Date and case number: 22.10.29 9:10 PM/ No. 10722
Police: This is 112. Hello?
Caller: Yes, I am at Itaewon’s (can’t confirm).
Police: Yes, yes.
Caller: Yes, I think everyone here is going to get crushed.
Police: There are too many people?
Caller: I think they are going to get crushed. We’re in the middle of a festival.
Police: Yes, yes.
Caller: Ah, that that, what is it, we’re doing a Halloween event, and the situation is serious. I feel like the kids on the inside are going to get crushed.
Police: So, where is your location…
Caller: The Halloween festival area, Itaewon Station.
Police: Please give the name of the store.
Caller: Not a name of the store, just the whole place is like this right now.
Police: Ah, the whole street is crowded with people?
Caller: Yes, the street
Police: So please give us some details like a station exit number…
Caller: Ah, so..
Police: Yes
Caller: Ah, so, uh, what hotel is this? Ah, what hotel is this?
Police: The location of where you want the police dispatched.
Caller: In front of the meeting place?
Police: Ok.
Caller: Yes, yes, it’s pretty serious the station over here.
Police: The meeting place in Itaewon?
Caller: Yes, Itaewon Station meeting place.
Police: Yes, ok, the police are going now.
Caller: Ok.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #9
112 Report Receipt Transcript #9
Date and case number: 22.10.29 9:51 PM/ No. 11261
Police: This is 112.
Caller: Yes, I’m in front of Itaewon 108 hip-hop club.
Police: Itaewon 108?
Caller: Yes, Itaewon’s 108 hip-hop club. There are so many people here, and I think the police need to come and control this…the faster, the better.
Police: One second.
Caller: It’s a pretty dangerous situation right now over here…
Police: 108 lounge, correct?
Caller: Yes, 108 hip-hop club lounge…wow.
Police: Ok, so over there…
Caller: Come quickly…yes, please come quickly.
Police: There are too many people, right?
Caller: Yes, I think you will need to come and control this. If you could go quickly…
Police: Ok.
Caller: Ok.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #10
112 Report Receipt Transcript #10
Date and case number: 22.10.29 10:00 PM/ No. 11397
Police: This is 112.
Caller: Ah, F*ck, I’d like to report something. This is Itaewon. Hey, what is it in English?
Police: I will track your location.
Caller: Yes, please do.
Police: Ok, I will track your location. What is the situation?
Caller: (the person in front) in front of Leebadom Gamjatang (caller) we’re in the alley in front of Leebadom Gamjatang.
Police: In the alleyway in front of Leebadom Gamjatang, ok.
Caller: There are a lot of people here because of Itaewon. Yes, but coming down the alley, people are pushing, and I think they will get crushed. Please come and control this.
Police: Are people out on the road?
Caller: Yes.
Police: Ok, We will track your location and head out.
Caller: (to the person in front) Let’s go. I can hang up now, right?
Police: Yes, we will go now.
Caller: Ok.
Police: You can hang up the phone now.
112 Report Receipt Transcript #11
112 Report Receipt Transcript #11
Date and case number: 22.10.29 10:11 PM/ No. 11532
Police: This is 112.
Caller: I think we are going to get crushed. Everyone is going crazy.
Police: Where is your location?
Caller: Hello?
Police: Yes, getting crushed.
Caller: (phone crackles) in front of Cosign.
Police: I’m sorry?
Caller: In front of Cosign. This is 112, right?
Police: Yes. Did you say [location name]?
Caller: [location name] Everyone here.
Police: Let me track your location. Yes, so you’re near Yongsan Station, Itaewon Station?
Caller: Ah! (screaming) Ah! (screaming) The Itaewon back alleyway. Itaewon back alleyway.
Police: Ok, the police are going now.
The report confirmed that, on the day of the incident, 81 riot police and 4,800 police officers were deployed throughout downtown Seoul due to two major labor unions and progressive and conservative groups. There were also about 1,100 police forces just about 1.5 km away from the accident site, preparing for marches and rallies. The police forces withdrew when the protest ended around 9 PM, about an hour before the disaster.
Even at this time, the police calls continued, inevitably pointing out that this incident could have been avoided if police forces had been sent in.
