South Korea’s president declared a national mourning period in response to the stampede at Halloween celebrations – with the death toll now at 151.

President Yoon Suk-yeol offered condolences to victims and wished them speedy recovery. He made the statement before visiting the scene at the crowd crush.

He said, “This is truly terrible.” “A tragedy and a disaster that shouldn’t have happened occurred in the heart Seoul last night.”

South Korean media reported that at least 82 people were hurt in the crowd crushing on Saturday night in Seoul.

Advertisement

South Korea stampede live updates

Choi Seongbeom, chief Seoul’s Yongsan Fire Department, stated that the number of fatalities could increase and that a unspecified number were in critical condition. At least 50 people are being treated for cardiac arrest.

The large crowd that was pushing forward along a narrow street near the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon crushed the victims.

He said that most of the bodies were sent to hospitals and the rest are being taken into a nearby gym to be identified.

According to Reuters, 19 of those injured were in serious condition. A fire official stated that most of the victims are in their teens or 20s.

Social media footage showed that many victims were lying on the ground as CPR was performed by emergency workers and other passers-by to save their lives.

Seoul’s emergency personnel were all available to help the wounded following the stampede. The National Fire Agency reported that more than 1,700 people responded to the call.

Although it is not clear what caused the crowd surge, local media reports suggest that many people rushed to the area after hearing that a celebrity was there.

Continue reading: We know little about the South Korea crowd crush which left many dead.

Seoul’s mayor Oh Sehoon was in Europe, but decided to return home after hearing the news.

Following the stampede, President Yoon presided over an emergency meeting.

In a statement, he stated that officials should provide prompt treatment to those who are injured and that safety at festivity sites should also be considered.

Local media reported that around 100,000 people traveled to Itaewon to celebrate Halloween, the largest in years after the removal of COVID-19 restrictions.

Many world leaders sent condolences for South Korea. Joe Biden, the US President, said: “Jill & I send our deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones in Seoul. We are there for the victims of the Republic of Korea’s tragedy and offer our deepest condolences to them.

“The Alliance between our countries has never been stronger or more vital than it is today – and our people have stronger ties than ever before.” The United States stands by the Republic of Korea in this difficult time.”

Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister, described the news as “horrific” and added: “All of our thoughts are with all those responding and all South Koreans in this very distressing moment.”

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, stated that he was thinking of all those affected by the tragedy and wished a speedy and complete recovery for those who were hurt.