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Crush takes place in Itaewon district, where 100,000 people go to celebrate the festival
Paramedics tend to a victim believed to be in cardiac arrest.Photo: AFP
South Korea has declared a national period of mourning after Saturday night’s Halloween stampede killed more than 150 people and injured dozens in Seoul’s crowded nightlife district.
UAE residents join the world in expressing condolences following the Itaewon tragedy, now known as one of the worst disasters in South Korea and one of the worst stampedes globally in decades.
“It’s heartbreaking and sad,” said Ross, a South Korean national who has lived in the UAE for nearly three years. “Usually, we don’t have a lot of Halloween parties in Korea compared to the West, but recently it’s become quite popular. Itaewon is a place in Seoul where there are a lot of foreigners. So, such international events and festivals are celebrated there. This stampede is truly shocking because nothing like this has ever happened in Korea. My heart goes out to all the families affected by this.”
The surge and packing took place in popular areas of the capital, where local reports said as many as 100,000 people went there to celebrate Halloween, blocking the area’s narrow alleys and winding streets.
Videos circulating on social media showed people lying in the street while others desperately tried to perform emergency CPR on them. Other videos showed a crowded but calm street that suddenly became chaotic as people began pushing and screaming at each other.
“I still can’t believe it,” said June Healy, who was educated in South Korea. “I got the news in bed and can’t sleep anymore. Itaewon is usually crowded and their nightlife is busy. But this incident is shocking.
“I think people just eased their Covid restrictions and looked forward to celebrating it. Unfortunately, it had to end that way. I’ve been keeping in touch with my friends and family in Korea. They’re still processing what happened. What’s up.”
South Korean President Yoon Se-yeol declared national mourning on Sunday, saying the government would pay for medical care for the injured and funerals for those who lost their lives.
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Indian national Bhavana John Bosco works for a Korean company and has travelled to the country several times for business and personal vacations. “Itaewon is usually very crowded, especially during Halloween,” she said. “I’ve been there a lot of times and I’ve seen a lot of people dress up to celebrate. For the past two years, South Korea had some severe Covid restrictions that were lifted earlier this month. I think people just because Frustrated after being at home for so long and wanted to go out and celebrate. It’s heartbreaking how many people have died.”
Meanwhile, the scene in Itaewon is devastating, with friends and family crowded into the hospital in a frantic search for loved ones. As officials raced to identify the bodies, several were registered as missing. According to Lee Sang-min, South Korea’s Minister of the Interior and Security, more than 90 percent of the victims have been identified. More than 80 percent of those who died — 97 women and 56 men — were in their 20s and 30s, but at least four were teenagers.
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