Seoul to Deploy 6,800 Personnel for Fireworks Festival Safety
Seoul will deploy 6,800 personnel to manage crowds and emergencies at this week's International Fireworks Festival, which is expected to draw 1 million visitors along the Han River.
The annual festival hosted by Hanwha Group is scheduled for Friday and Saturday this year, with about 1 million people expected to visit the event along the Han River.
The city government said a safety headquarters will be set up together with the police, fire departments, Hanwha and other relevant agencies to oversee crowds and traffic around the site.
Operational command centers doubling as emergency medical stations will be established at six locations across the Yeouido and Ichon neighborhoods, while 45 patrol boats will be used to monitor safety on the river.
Additionally, Hanwha will monitor real-time crowd density through CCTV cameras in each zone of the festival venue and operate an emergency request feature on the official festival application, Orange Play.
During Saturday's main event, traffic controls will be enforced, closing Wonhyo Bridge from 9 a.m. until 3 a.m. Sunday, and Yeouidong-ro from 3 p.m. to midnight. A total of 24 bus routes passing through these restricted sections will be temporarily rerouted.