VISUALS: Korea marks 2nd anniversary of Halloween crowd crush

SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - Mourners gathered on Tuesday in a narrow alleyway in Seoul's Itaewon district to mark the second anniversary of South Korea's deadliest crowd disaster, which claimed 159 lives during Halloween celebrations.

Visitors laid flowers and left handwritten messages along the sloped alley in the popular nightlife district, where the tragedy occurred on Oct. 29, 2022.

The disaster unfolded when thousands of young revelers, many in Halloween costumes, became trapped and were crushed in the narrow street. The victims, mostly in their 20s and 30s, included 26 foreign nationals.

People remember the second anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — People pay their respects to the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

People gather at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — People view exhibits about the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

Buddhist monks offer prayers at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — Buddhist monks offer prayers for the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

Flowers are laid at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — Flowers are laid at the site of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

A visitor pays respects at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — A man pays his respects to the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

A visitor folds their hands in remembrance at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — A visitor pays his respects to the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

A visitor bows their head in grief at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — A visitor is overcome with emotion at the site of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon district, Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

A visitor pours a drink in remembrance at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — Visitors hold a memorial service for the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

A shop vendor prepares flowers for remembrance at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — A vendor prepares a wreath of flowers for the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

People walk through October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — People walk past flowers for the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

A citizen reads the memorial board listing the victims names at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — A woman reads the memorial board listing the names of the victims of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush at the accident site in Itaewon, Seoul, on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

Flowers and candles left by mourners are seen at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — Flowers, candles and bottles are laid at the site of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon district on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

The number 159 victims is displayed at October 29 Memorial Alley in Seoul on Oct 29 2024 AJP Kim Dong-woo — A visitor views a sign that reads "159 victims" at the site of the 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon district on Oct. 29, 2024. AJP Kim Dong-woo

Kim Dong-woo dong@ajupress.com