AT LEAST 146 DEAD IN CRUSH HORROR
Halloween party stampede leaves a further 150 injured
AT least 146 people have been killed and 150 more injured in a Halloween stampede on a narrow street in Seoul.
Emergency crews were scrambled from cities all around the South Korean capital last night in a bid to prevent the death toll soaring in the popular Itaewon party district.
Local media reported that the crush had begun after word spread of an unidentified celebrity visiting a bar there.
It was estimated that by the time of the stampede – at around 10.20pm local time – some 100,000 revellers, many in fancy dress, had gathered in the area for Seoul’s first mask-free outdoor event since Covid restrictions were lifted.
Harrowing videos on social media showed body bags on the streets as people struggled in the dense crowds. Cries of distress could be clearly heard in the chaos.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Horrific news from Seoul tonight. All our thoughts are with those responding and all South Koreans at this distressing time.”
Fire chief Choi Seong-beom said a nearby gym was being used as a morgue for some of the dead.
More than 400 emergency workers and 140 vehicles from around the nation, including all available personnel in Seoul, were deployed to the streets, where civilians could be seen helping medical teams carry out CPR on dozens of people.
The BBC’s Hosu Lee said: “A lot of young people gathered here tonight.
“A lot of people came to the party and club, wearing costumes. A lot of people I’ve seen are distraught and sad, there are chaotic scenes.”
As the Seoul Metropolitan Government sent emergency texts to all mobiles in the area urging people to return home, TV footage showed ambulances lined up and a heavy police presence.
Officials said exact casualty numbers were still unknown.