Halloween celebration at Itaewon district in Seoul, South Korea turns abysmal as multiple people get stuck on a stampede while leaving some others badly injured. Yoon Suk-yeol makes a national mourning declaration in view of the tragic incident that killed many people.
The capital city of Seoul, South Korea witnessed an atrocious stampede on October 30, 2022. The stampede happened at the lively district of Itaewon of Seoul during a Halloween Celebration.
Thousands of people were gathering altogether in a very congested and tight space or streets in the Itaewon district. As a consequence, there were several reports of people getting cardiac arrest and around 151 people died because of overcrowding.
There were around 50 people present in the crowd surge or stampede that suffered cardiac arrest. Additionally, there were also foreigners who came to Itaewon district to celebrate the Halloween Celebration.
19 of these foreigners, who were from the countries of Iran, Uzbekistan, China and Norway also died in the crowd surge, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Out of the thousands of people, local authorities said that around 151 were announced dead while more than 150 people were severely injured.
A fire brigade official stated that a staggering number of around or more than 140 ambulances had been dispatched to the area of the incident, as reported by AFP.
The Itaewon district in Seoul is famous for having Halloween celebrations and other seasonal festivities.
Being one of the most popular places in Seoul, it is an exciting and exuberant place to visit. Both natives from the country and foreigners or tourists enjoy coming to the district for its incredible nightlife and relishing restaurants.
As what should any leader do, the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol commanded his officials to consign or dispatch first aid teams as well as to assure the immediate availability of hospital beds.
A thorough investigation has been ordered by the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol. Referring to the tragic Halloween stampede incident, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that such a thing should have never occurred in the first place.
He made a vow during the National address to take further action and investigate the incident so that it may never happen again.
In view of such a tragic occurrence, President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared a time of national mourning as a gesture of respect and condolences for the lives lost and also ordered the lowering of the national flags of the country.
He also mentioned that the government will prioritize “administrative affairs in recovery” and further precautions and measures for the assurance of safety and security of the people of South Korea.
According to AFP, there were three American soldiers who were stationed in South Korea who were also entangled in the stampede that killed 151 people overall.
The three American soldiers described that the crowd surge scene was chaotic and horrifying as the people struggled and cried to receive help.
The Halloween Celebration at Itaewon district was attended by around 100,000 people, mostly natives and a handful of foreigners also.
The three soldiers told AFP that they had been part of the crowd too. They were all stuck in the tapered steep passageway that eventually led to the deaths of so many people and injured the rest.
The three American soldiers, thankfully, were able to get out just in the nick of time before the stampede engulfed everyone, killing 151 people.
“It started happening, everybody just fell on top of each other like dominoes”, said Jarmil Taylor, a 40 year old visitor according to AFP.
Scared for their lives, the people at the edge of the passageway were trying to force their way down, despite knowing the lane was already packed, thus, the fall began.
Jarmil Taylor also said to AFP that the people were on top of each other. Unfortunately, there were not sufficient people in the area or region next to the stampede to help or assist them in getting out.
Chaos and panic ensued everywhere. The men helped some of the victims by picking them up and taking them to the nearby clubs that had just opened. The clubs’ floors were packed by people who had fallen to the ground and laid there in pain and shock.
