Kim Hyunghun (29), an office worker in Yeouido, Seoul, felt his way to work on the morning of the 31st was particularly heavy, especially after the news of the Itaewon disaster. The word 'crushed to death' kept popping inside his head as the crowd was pushed into the packed bus and subway, even though it's the sight that he always sees on his way to work every day.
Kim says, "I have experienced getting pushed into the packed hell-like subway. It makes me think that this could've become something like what happened in Itaewon. It breaks my heart to think that I was just lucky I was never hurt."
On the first weekday since the Itaewon tragedy, office workers complain of fear of the "Hell-like subway." They are used to seeing packed public transportation without thinking such an accident could happen, they have developed a new fear after the news. Seo Hyejin (30) says, "After seeing the news, I realized how dangerous it is to be in a crowded place. I have become scared of taking the subway today. I talked to my coworkers about how terrifying it is to take the subway in the future"
Shim (32) says, "In crowded stations, the drivers repeat broadcasts saying not to push the person in front of you. I realized that a similar accident could happen if anyone sprained their ankles or stopped moving out of a sudden." People on the internet share tips on how to prevent getting crushed in the crowd, such as linking arms and carrying your bags in the front.
On the 30th, CNN quoted a Disaster Management Expert, Juliette Kayyem, "Seoul citizens seem to not be aware when streets are filled with people because they are used to crowded spaces"
The phenomenon of being crushed by crowds due to the high density of people in public transportation has long been experienced by Seoul citizens. You can read further in Hankyoreh article posted in the 90s, titled "Hell-train".
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