Police said Monday that they were closely analyzing seized documents and other evidence as part of their investigation into a concert accident in which 16 people were killed after falling through a ventilation grate.
The tragic accident took place Friday at Pangyo Techno Valley, a multipurpose complex, just southeast of Seoul, when a ventilation grate concert-goers were standing on collapsed. Eleven others were seriously injured.
Police said they were looking into computer hard drives, mobile phones and other documents seized during their search of the hosts and sponsors of the concert to determine the exact cause of the accident.
On Sunday, about 60 police investigators were sent to some 10 sites, including the head offices in Seoul of the Internet-based business newspaper Edaily and its television subsidiary, Edaily TV, police said.
Also, police said they have called in organizers of the concert, as well as employees of the company that installed the ventilation grate, for questioning.
“Those who have been summoned to face questioning are all still witnesses,” said a police officer. “Police will seek out the truth after analyzing seized materials.”
Some 700 people attended the concert where various South Korean musicians, including girl group 4Minute, performed, according to the host.
Meanwhile, the families of the victims have reached an agreement with event organizers for compensation for the victims, both sides said Monday.
Under the agreement, Edaily and the Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion, one of the main sponsors of the event, will pay 25 million won (US$23,600) to each victim for funeral costs.
The agreement further stipulated that other event sponsors, such as the Gyeonggi provincial government, Seongnam city and managers of the outdoor facilities, in the Pangyo Technology Valley would be liable for the compensation depending on the outcome of the police investigation.
The victims’ families, however, asked for leniency for event organizers and other officials, saying that they had reached the agreement amicably.
“Considering the accident was not caused by malice or intent, the families wish that criminal punishment for related people will be minimized ,” Han Jae-chang, who represents the families, told a news conference.
Also, funerals for six of the 16 victims were held in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi Province Monday, with the rest slated for Tuesday.
Amid mounting concerns over safety, the Seoul government said Monday that it will conduct a safety check of subway ventilation grates and other ventilation facilities.
The city of Seoul has about 2,418 subway ventilation grates linked to the city’s nine subway lines, with 1,177 of them installed on sidewalks, the city said. (Yonhap)
