Safety concerns have led LG to cancel a series of events to promote its G2 smartphone after a promotional stunt involving knives and BB guns went wrong in Seoul, South Korea, leaving 20 people injured. Seven of those 20 people were sent to hospital.
The event at an outdoor park centred around a race to grab vouchers for a free G2 smartphone. The vouchers were hanging from 100 helium balloons and participants showed up at the event armed with BB guns and knives on sticks. One individual even carried a pointed staff, BBC News reported.
LG said it is investigating Friday’s ‘G in the Cloud’ event to ensure such an incident can’t happen again. The company also expressed its regret that participants were injured at the event.
“We can confirm that seven participants were hospitalised and, although none of the injuries were serious, LG takes full responsibility for the unfortunate situation and has offered to cover all related medical expenses,” LG also said in a statement.
The LG G2 smartphone, which sells for KRW 950,000 in South Korea (€643) is expected to be released in other parts of the world in several weeks.