At least 35 people, most of them teenagers, were injured in a stampede when tens of thousands scrambled to enter the Lotte World amusement park in Seoul on Sunday, the first of six intended days of free admissions. The event was meant as a way of apologizing for a recent accident at the amusement park when a worker plunged to his death from a rollercoaster car.
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People pack the Lotte World amusement park in Seoul on Sunday, which was to be the first of six days of free admission. The park halted the event after at least 35 people were injured in a stampede./Yonhap
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People started to gather in front of the park in Jamsil, Seoul as early as 4 a.m., which caused heavy congestion in areas near Jamsil Station on subway line no. 2. By 9:40 a.m., admissions had reached the parkĄ¯s daily capacity and other comers were turned away. In the ensuing rush on the entrance gates, some young people reportedly lost outer garments and shoes. The injured were taken to hospital.
The incident sparked criticism of poor safety measures at the park. Lotte World has halted the event.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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