By René Garzke
It was supposed to be South Korea’s biggest party. After the corona pandemic, it was finally time to celebrate again – but the evening ended as a death drama.
According to local authorities, at least 59 people have died during a Halloween celebration in the capital Seoul. The alleged trigger of the drama: people were crushed in a narrow street by the crowd.
▶︎ At least 150 people were injured! More deaths are feared among them. 100,000 people attended the huge festival.
Several covered victims lie between emergency workers Photo: AFP
Choi Cheon-sik from the National Fire Service Administration said the crowd must have pushed forward – and people were probably crushed as they did so.
400 rescue workers from all over the country are on duty to treat the injured – including all forces available in Seoul.
Videos posted on social media showed first responders resuscitating several people lying in the street. Police also confirmed that dozens of people were resuscitated on the streets of Itaewon. Many others were taken to nearby hospitals
A woman is carried away on a stretcher by rescue workers Photo: AFP
A police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was informed of a stampede. However, the details of the incident are still under investigation.
Local media, in turn, reported that the mass rush was triggered because an unspecified celebrity was visiting a bar.
Tens of thousands are said to have attended the festival Photo: AFP
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (61) called on the authorities to treat the injured quickly and to check the security of the fairgrounds.
He also ordered the Ministry of Health to immediately dispatch disaster medical relief teams and secure beds in hospitals for the injured.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (61), who is currently visiting Europe, is said to have announced his immediate return, according to Yonhap.