At least 151 people died on Halloween in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. In addition, nearly 100 people were injured and 350 people are missing. The fatalities are mainly teenagers and people in their twenties. According to the Reuters news agency, they died as a result of oppression.
Officials in Seoul said that at least 120 people were dead and 100 others were injured after a stampede in the South Korean capital's popular Itaewon district, where crowds had gathered to celebrate Halloween. https://t.co/auJuczo3Ll pic.twitter.com/7FXmfW8qab
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 29, 2022
It was the first time since the corona crisis that the party in Seoul could be celebrated in a ‘normal way’ again. People were not required to wear a mask and there was no advice to keep their distance. The drama was set in the Itaewon neighborhood. That region is known for its popular nightlife. According to local media, the streets were busy and about 100,000 people were on their way to celebrate Halloween. Then things went terribly wrong in a narrow street.
Shocked by the news of the tragic incident in #Seoul that claimed the lives of so many Koreans. It is a tragedy that an innocent evening of Halloween celebrations turned deadly so abruptly. My thoughts go out to the Korean families who lost loved ones today. #Itaewon @FMParkJin
— Wopke Hoekstra (@WBHoekstra) October 29, 2022
Images of the events in Seoul are emerging on social media. Videos of the tribulation can be experienced as shocking and are therefore not shared here. In addition, there are many images of ambulances driving back and forth to take people to hospitals and healthcare workers who do everything they can to help the victims. In total, at least 1,700 aid workers were deployed.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-Yeol said the country will investigate how the tragedy could have started. “The government will investigate the cause of the drama so that a similar accident will not happen again in the future,” he said, announcing a period of national mourning. “A tragedy has occurred in the center of Seoul, a disaster that should never have happened.”
Shocked and saddened by the news of the tragic incident in #Seoul that claimed the lives of so many Koreans. My thoughts go out to the people of South Korea and especially to the families who lost loved ones today.
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) October 29, 2022
Oh Se-Hoon, the mayor of the South Korean capital, was visiting Europe during the tragedy. He has cut short his journey and is flying back to Seoul as soon as possible.
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