Seoul Stampede Leaves Over 150 Dead At Halloween Festivities
About 50 people were suffering from suspected cardiac arrest in Seoul’s Itaewon area following a stampede at a Halloween party.
(Bloomberg) -- At least 151 people were killed and dozens injured following a stampede during Halloween celebrations in Seoul, marking one of the worst accidents in South Korea in years.
The stampede occurred Saturday night in the popular nightlife district of Itaewon, after a large number of people entered a narrow alley behind the Hamilton Hotel, fire and police authorities said in televised briefings. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a period of national mourning from Sunday and vowed to carry out a thorough investigation.
“We had a tragedy last night at the center of Seoul during Halloween that should have not occurred,” Yoon said in a televised speech Sunday. The government will give its “highest priority to the accident responses and follow-up measures,” he said.
There were 19 foreigners among those killed, including nationals from Iran, China, Uzbekistan and Norway, authorities said Sunday. Of 82 others injured in the stampede, 19 are in serious condition, they said. There were 355 people reported missing in Seoul, YTN reported.
Tens of thousands of people were estimated to have gathered in Itaewon for the Halloween festivities, the first since South Korea last month lifted Covid-19 restrictions requiring outdoor mask-wearing. Pictures and videos posted online showed some streets so packed that people could barely move.
After the crush, footage showed people lying in the streets receiving first aid and being taken to ambulances. About 1,700 emergency workers were dispatched to Itaewon, with 144 vehicles mobilized, authorities said earlier.
Yoon convened emergency meetings early Sunday, ordering ministries to provide swift first aid and treatment to those injured in the accident and to review safety measures. The government will provide medical support to the injured and offer funeral support to families of the deceased, he said at a briefing.
Investigations will be carried out to identify the cause of the stampede and prevent similar accidents in the future, he added. Officials said there was no immediate signs that narcotics were involved in the stampede.
Relevant authorities will conduct emergency inspections for Halloween events as well as other local festivals and ensure they are carried out in an orderly and safe manner, Yoon said.
A Halloween event scheduled for Sunday in Hongdae, another Seoul neighborhood popular among young people, has been canceled, according to a text message from the local government.
The accident is the worst to take place in South Korea since the sinking of the Sewol Ferry in 2014 killed 304 people, leading to criticism against the government at the time for its response to the emergency. Stampedes have occurred in the past, including in 2005, when 11 people were killed in Sangju city when crowds rushed into a concert venue. In 2006, 35 people were injured while trying to enter a theme park that was open for free in Seoul.
The accident prompted world leaders including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to offer their condolences.
--With assistance from and .
(Updates with new figures, comments from Yoon throughout)
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