LKF revelers warned as crowd curbs bolstered

Halloween partygoers have been reminded to stay safe after crowd-control measures were put in place by police at Lan Kwai Fong.

Hongkongers in costumes were seen at the city's biggest bar district last night before the spooky festival, with some saying they would be more careful following the stampede in South Korea.

Police closed Central MTR station's exit D1 on Pedder Street at 9.30 last night as part of measures as undeterred partygoers flocked to Lan Kwai Fong

The stringent measures were introduced after a similar Lan Kwai Fong tragedy, which killed 21 people in a New Year's Eve stampede in 1993.

In response to the Itaewon stampede, police said risk assessments are conducted before major celebration events and that the force has experience in crowd control.

As of noon yesterday, the Immigration Department has not received any requests for assistance from Hongkongers regarding the Seoul tragedy, but state media CCTV reported that among the dead victims were four Chinese citizens.

Hongkonger Jason, talking to local media, said he was among the lucky ones in South Korea. He and 14 friends went to Itaewon on Saturday night, but left after hearing screams from the front of the crowds. They heard about the tragedy when they arrived at a bar nearby.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the tragedy saddened him and extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. He added: "The government will pay close attention to the incident."

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung reminded the public to stay safe during festive celebrations and said the Immigration Department will provide full help to Hong Kong residents abroad who seek assistance.

Assistant Central district commander Chow Wing-yee said the crowd-control arrangement is similar to last year, where people are directed to queue along Queen's Road Central, D'Aguilar Street, Stanley Street, Cochrane Street and Wellington Street.

"People who join the celebration should follow the instructions by officers and enter and leave Lan Kwai Fong in an orderly manner," Chow said.

Nearby streets will also be closed until 5am tomorrow.

A Hongkonger living in Seoul observed the poor crowd-control in South Korea: "Koreans have a bad habit - they love to shove in the queue, even when they know it is crowded," he told local media.

A handful of group tours are currently in Seoul, said Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong chairman Gianna Hsu Wong Mei-lun. She reminded Hongkongers to avoid crowded places.

Some online users recalled the Lan Kwai Fong stampede in 1993, a party district with narrow slopes.

Lan Kwai Fong founder Allan Zeman said the situation in Itaewon was different from Hong Kong.

"Streets in Korea are long and narrow, even more so than in Lan Kwai Fong."

Anthea Cheung So-may, director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, said the district has set up emergency access and aid stations on-site, with safeguards from police and Transport Department.

Meanwhile, crowd-safety experts advised that if people are caught in a stampede, they should ensure they have sufficient breathing space, brace themselves, or hold their friends' hands while walking in an arc-shaped formation to prevent being separated by the crowd.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com