Call of Duty pulls Itaewon crush footage from Modern Warfare 4

Itaewon disaster survivors' families speak out over Modern Warfare 4

The decision came after the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Bereaved Families Association spoke out against the opening sequence, which featured clips originally broadcast by news outlets during the disaster. 

The footage had been included to set up the game's fictional plot, according to Activision, but relatives said the scenes were far too distressing to be repurposed as entertainment.

A still from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 featuring news footage of emergency crews carrying out CPR during the 2022 Itaewon disaster. The original broadcast footage was supplied by Getty Images.

The tragedy took place during Halloween celebrations in Seoul's Itaewon district in 2022, when more than 100,000 people gathered in the area. 

As crowds packed into narrow alleyways, people became trapped in the crush, with many unable to breathe. Almost 160 people died.

Families welcome removal of distressing clips but question Activision's response

The families' association said the disaster's impact had not ended with the immediate loss of life. 

Survivors, witnesses and people who took part in rescue efforts are still dealing with the trauma, it added, while describing the incident as having caused hundreds of casualties.

In a statement, the group said: "We cannot help but be appalled that the chaotic and desperate scene... was used to create a scene in a game. Using such an event as material for a game made for entertainment is in itself highly inappropriate and senseless."

Activision initially explained that the clips were intended "to establish the game's fictional narrative". 

The company also insisted it had "not intended to reference or trivialise the Itaewon disaster or any other real-world tragedy in any way, shape or form."

However, after the criticism from bereaved relatives, the developer removed the real footage from the game's opening sequence.

The association welcomed the move, although it told the BBC that Activision had yet to reach out to the families directly with an apology.