South Korean police admit responsibility for Halloween stampede

South Korea’s police chief Yoon Hee Keun admitted “a heavy responsibility” for failing to prevent a recent crowd surge that killed more than 150 people during Halloween festivities in Seoul.

Report informs, citing foreign media, that the police chief said officers didn’t effectively handle earlier emergency calls about the impending disaster.

“I feel a heavy responsibility (for the disaster) as the head of one of related government offices,” he told a televised news conference. “Police will do their best to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.”

At least 149 people died during the stampede that occurred on Itaewon street in downtown Seoul during the Halloween celebrations on October 29. At least 76 people were hospitalized. The national mourning was declared in the country.