Seoul to Deploy 6,800 Personnel for Upcoming Fireworks Festival

SEOUL, Sept. 1 (Yonhap) -- The Seoul city government said Tuesday it will deploy 6,800 personnel to manage crowds and handle emergencies during the 2026 Seoul International Fireworks Festival set to take place later this week.

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.