Seoul Halloween Horror: PM Shehbaz extends condolences following a crowd crush in Itaewon that killed 151 people
South Korea’s President declares mourning period for nation after Halloween crush
PM Shehbaz extends condolences on Sunday to the South Koreans following a crowd crush in Seoul’s Itaewon that killed 151 people.
- President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning.
- South Korean present designated Seoul’s popular Itaewon district a disaster zone after the Saturday night disaster.
- Fire officials said most of the victims were women and young people in their 20s and included 19 foreigners from Iran, Uzbekistan, China, and Norway
- A further 82 people were also injured, 19 of them seriously.
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At least 2 US citizens among those killed in Seoul tragedy, US embassy says
Hell broke in the South Korean capital on Saturday evening as the public gathered to attend the first Halloween event in Seoul in three years after the country lifted COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing.
According to the officials, the tragedy occurred amid a huge crowd crush as the police failed to control the crowd surge and people continued to enter into a narrow and sloppy alley on Saturday night celebrating Halloween in the popular Itaewon district.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday in a tweet said that he was “saddened at the tragic death of 146 people in a stampede in Seoul”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the government and people of South Korea,” he added.
I am saddened at the tragic death of 146 people in a stampede in Seoul. Our thoughts & prayers are with the government & people of South Korea.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 30, 2022
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared a period of national mourning on Sunday after a Halloween crush incident.
President Yoon visited the incident site on Sunday morning and expressed condolences to the victims, mostly teenagers and people in their 20s, and his wishes for a speedy recovery for the many injured.
“This is truly tragic,” he said in a statement. “A tragedy and disaster that should not have happened took place in the heart of Seoul last night.”
At least 90% of the victims had been identified by midday, with delays affecting some foreign nationals and teenagers who did not yet have identification cards, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.
While makeshift memorials began appearing near the incident site, with onlookers leaving flowers and notes.
Horrible details of the incident continue to pour on social media along with condolence messages from world leaders.
Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and wish for a quick recovery to all those who were injured. The United States stands with the Republic of Korea during this tragic time.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 29, 2022
Horrific news from Seoul tonight.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 29, 2022
All our thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time.
Catherine and I send all our love and prayers to the parents, families and loved ones of those tragically lost in Seoul yesterday evening. W & C
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 30, 2022
And let us pray to the Risen Lord also for those – especially the young – who died in #Seoul last night as a tragic consequence of a sudden crowd surge.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) October 30, 2022
These pics taken by Song Sehyun, 22-year-old who was attending the Halloween party in Seoul’s Itaewon nightclub district. You can see how packed the streets were a couple of hours before the deadly crush that killed at least 120 people. Two of his friends, Americans, are missing. pic.twitter.com/zLzl9uG7dS
— Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) October 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/sirajnoorani/status/1586402090670178304
20 ppl in Itaewon, Seoul passed away and 80 ppl injured due to a lot of people assembled in Halloween.
— 𝙅𝘼𝙔 𝘾 (@ShutDa_Ur_Mouth) October 29, 2022
I know Itaewon. I worked there 9 years ago. Itaewon is small and crowded place.
Since Govt lift restrictions, they went to Itaewon for the first time since 2019
Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/9K6L8a69c9
The disaster is South Korea’s deadliest since a 2014 ferry sinking that killed 304 people, mainly high school students.
