In a tragic turn of events, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has announced the postponement of all three games of the Changwon NC Dinos-SSG Landers series, originally scheduled from April 1 to April 3, 2025, following a catastrophic accident at Changwon NC Park. This decision comes in the wake of a structure collapse that resulted in the death of one spectator and injuries to two others during a game on March 29.
The incident occurred around 5:20 PM during a matchup between the NC Dinos and the LG Twins. A louver, an aluminum structure used for lighting, fell from the upper levels of the stadium, striking three fans who were near a concession stand. The structure, measuring 2.6 meters in length and 40 centimeters in width, was located approximately four stories above the ground, making the impact particularly severe.
In the aftermath, one of the injured spectators, a woman, suffered critical head injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries on the morning of March 31, prompting widespread grief and condolences from the baseball community. The KBO expressed its sorrow in an official statement, stating, "We mourn the passing of a beloved fan who tragically lost their life due to the accident at Changwon NC Park. Our deepest condolences go out to the victim's family, and we wish a swift recovery to the other injured spectators."
As a precautionary measure, the KBO had already canceled the game scheduled for March 30, citing the need for a thorough safety inspection of the stadium. Initially, they planned to hold the NC-SSG Landers series without fans starting on April 1, but the death of the spectator led to the complete cancellation of the series. From April 1 to April 3, the KBO has declared a mourning period, during which no KBO League or Futures League games will take place.
Games in other cities, including Jamsil, Suwon, Daejeon, and Gwangju, have been postponed to April 2, with a moment of silence to be held before each game in honor of the deceased. Players will wear mourning ribbons as a sign of respect. The KBO stated, "All games will proceed without fan support, and we will take a moment to reflect on the loss of a fellow baseball enthusiast."
In a separate statement, the NC Dinos organization publicly apologized for the incident, expressing their deep condolences. "We are heartbroken over the tragic accident that occurred during the game on March 29. We extend our sincere apologies and condolences to the family of the deceased and hope for the recovery of the injured," they wrote on their official social media channels.
Following the accident, NC Dinos' representative, Lee Jin-man, addressed the media on March 30, detailing the club's response and the steps they intend to take to prevent future incidents. "We are committed to ensuring the safety of our fans and will work diligently to investigate the cause of this accident and implement necessary measures to prevent a recurrence," he stated. Lee also mentioned the difficulty in arranging immediate safety inspections due to the weekend but assured that they are prioritizing the matter.
As investigations continue, local authorities, including the police and the National Forensic Service, are expected to conduct a joint inquiry into the incident, focusing on potential negligence related to the structural failure. Police officials indicated that they would be interviewing stadium staff and other relevant parties as part of their investigation.
The KBO has emphasized the importance of safety in all stadiums and announced that they would be conducting thorough inspections of facilities and structures across all venues before games resume. They are also working with local governments and clubs to enhance regular safety checks to ensure such tragedies do not happen again.
The Changwon NC Park incident has sent shockwaves through the KBO community, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in sports venues. As fans and players alike mourn the loss of a fellow enthusiast, the KBO is determined to honor the memory of the deceased by taking all necessary steps to improve safety standards in the future.
In light of this tragedy, the KBO and its member clubs are united in their commitment to creating a safer environment for all fans attending games. The organization has stated, "We will do everything in our power to support the families affected by this incident and ensure that our venues are safe for everyone who loves the game of baseball."
