At least 149 people were killed and between 65 to 150 more hurt in a stampede during Halloween festivities in the Itaewon district of Seoul, South Korea — the first outdoor, mask-free celebration of the holiday since the 2020 COVID pandemic, local media reported.
There were about 100,000 revelers out celebrating in the popular nightlife area, according to Yonhap News.
Officials warned the death toll could rise further, with 19 of the injured in serious condition.
Videos posted online showed people in fancy costumes being pushed through the narrow streets. Some appeared to climb walls on either side in an attempt to escape.
Other videos show body bags, emergency workers performing CPR and rescuers trying to pull unconscious people trapped beneath the crowd.
Pictures showed people lying in the streets near Itaewon’s Hamilton Hotel receiving first aid and being taken to ambulances.
Government officials sent emergency text messages urging people in the area to return home. More than 400 emergency workers and 140 vehicles were deployed.
Some celebrants were completely trapped in the elbow-to-elbow crowd, The Washington Post reported. The noise was too loud for many to call for help, the outlet said.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol called an emergency meeting with senior aides and ordered medical teams to the area, the BBC and his office reported Saturday. Officials said 1,701 response personnel were on site, including 517 firefighters, 1,100 police and 70 government workers.
https://nypost.com/2022/10/29/at-le...halloween-stampede-in-seoul-south-korea/
