Special commission recognizes 2 late firefighters as victims of Itaewon crowd crash

A special investigation commission officially acknowledged two late firefighters, surnamed Nam and Park, as victims of the deadly Itaewon crowd crush in 2022, on Tuesday. The pair were among the first responders at the tragic incident that claimed 159 lives during Halloween festivities in a narrow alley of Itaewon on October 29, 2022.

The commission determined that the firefighters suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ultimately died from self-harm due to the lack of adequate support. This recognition brings the total number of official victims of the crowd crush to 162. Earlier, the commission recognized a late business owner who assisted in the rescue efforts on the night of the tragedy as an official victim. This individual, who also suffered from PTSD, was found dead earlier this year.