Seoul gov't announces safety measures ahead of Saturday's fireworks festival

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Seoul gov't announces safety measures ahead of Saturday's fireworks festival

Published: 01 Oct. 2024, 18:31 Updated: 01 Oct. 2024, 18:34

CHO JUNG-WOO
cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr

A scene from the 2023 Seoul International Fireworks Festival that took place at Yeouido in western Seoul on Oct. 7, 2023. [YONHAP]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Tuesday announced safety measures to prevent accidents due to overcrowding ahead of the Seoul International Fireworks Festival slated for Saturday.

Hanwha Seoul International Fireworks Festival to feature 'largest-ever' fireworks

The annual festival, hosted by Hanwha, attracts around 1 million people every year. This year marks the 20th edition of the event, with fireworks displays by participants from Korea, the United States and Japan. The show will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday and last about 90 minutes.

According to the city government, Yeouidong-ro, which connects the southern part of Mapo Bridge to 63 Square, also known as the 63 Building, will be closed from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Nineteen bus routes that pass through Yeouidong-ro will be rerouted. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., buses serving stops near the festival site, such as the Yeouido Transfer Center, Yeouido Station and Yeouinaru Station, will be increased to help visitors leave on public transportation.

Subway trains on line No. 5 may skip Yeouinaru Station if the platform becomes too congested. After the fireworks show, the exits at Yeouinaru Station may be blocked, and visitors will be directed to use the Yeouido, Mapo or Saetgang stations instead.

Restricted roads due to the Seoul International Fireworks Festival on Saturday [NAM JUNG-HYUN]

A total of 288 safety personnel, an increase from the usual 64, will be deployed to 16 subway stations near the festival site, including Yeouinaru Station.

From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, 14 bus routes passing the Hangang Bridge will not stop at Nodeul Island in Yongsan District, central Seoul. Entry to Nodeul Island will be partially restricted from 4 p.m. on Friday to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

Pedestrians will also be restricted from accessing Wonhyo Bridge toward Yeouido from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and from Friday through Sunday toward Yongsan.

The borrowing and returning of public bicycles, Ttareungi, and personal mobility devices in Yeouido will be restricted on Saturday.

The city government said it will conduct a joint inspection along with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety between Friday and Saturday ahead of the festival, in cooperation with the police, fire departments and district offices.

Information centers, ambulances, fire trucks and medical personnel will also be deployed to the venue.

To minimize waste, extra trash bins will be placed near the event site, and around 1,200 people, including volunteers from Hanwha, will help clean up the area afterward.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]