What happened in Itaewon crowd crush 2022: Halloween disaster in Seoul
The Itaewon crowd crush was a deadly disaster on Halloween night in 2022 in Itaewon, a nightlife district in Seoul, South Korea. Tens of thousands of partygoers surged in narrow alleys, and nearly 160 people died. It has returned to the news because of footage from it used in a video game.
Why it's in the news
Activision said it will remove footage of the Itaewon disaster from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 after objections from victims' families. The change comes days before the fourth anniversary of the disaster on October 29.
- Call of Duty Seoul Footage Removal — Call of Duty to cut Seoul crush footage after families object
Background
Itaewon is a nightlife district in central Seoul, the capital of South Korea. On the evening of October 29, 2022, a very large crowd, reported by sources as more than 100,000 people, gathered there to celebrate Halloween. The alleys were so crowded that people could not move, and some could not breathe. The crowd surged beyond control in a narrow alley, and nearly 160 people died. Families of the dead say the victims included people who performed CPR on one another while others lay on the cold street.
After the disaster, an investigation into the failure of authorities to prevent it began. Nearly two dozen officials have been charged, and three former police officers have been jailed. The investigation is still underway. Families of victims say they are still waiting for answers.
In late October 2026, the American publisher Activision said it would remove about 10 seconds of news footage of the disaster from the opening of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The game depicts a fictional North Korean invasion of South Korea. Families of victims called the use of the footage inappropriate, and Activision apologized, saying it had never meant to trivialize the disaster. The removal is scheduled for a game update on November 12. The families welcomed the removal but said they had received no direct apology. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said his government would uncover the truth about the disaster.
What people are asking
Where did the Itaewon crowd crush happen?
It happened in Itaewon, a nightlife district in Seoul, South Korea, in a narrow alley where partygoers were packed together.
When did the Itaewon crowd crush happen?
It happened on the night of Halloween, October 29, 2022. The anniversary falls on October 29.
How many people died in the Itaewon crowd crush?
Nearly 160 people died in the disaster.
Why is the Itaewon disaster in the news now?
Activision said it would remove about 10 seconds of news footage of the disaster from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 after families objected. The removal is due in an update on November 12.