Halloween festivities held in South Korea spiraled into pure terror on Saturday night. A stampede disaster killed at least 146 people and injured another 150 in the South Korean capital of Seoul.
Revelers flocked to Seoul’s entertainment district of Itaewon for Halloween festivities. The Halloween celebration attracted approximately 100,000 to the streets – which is believed to be the biggest in South Korea since the country recently eased its COVID-19 restrictions.
However, the merriment quickly turned into tragedy as young people reportedly rushed to see an unidentified celebrity at a nearby bar. Hundreds of partygoers poured into a narrow alley near the Hamilton Hotel. The massive influx of people caused many to fall to the ground and get crushed.
(WARNING: Graphic video)
The grisly aftermath shows lifeless bodies strewn on the pavement covered by blue blankets. Some unconscious people are seen getting CPR to try to save their lives. South Korean officials say approximately 50 people suffered from cardiac arrest.
There were so many dead bodies that they had to be transported to a nearby gymnasium for identification.
Roughly 850 emergency workers and police officers from around South Korea rushed to Seoul to treat the victims. Dozens of emergency vehicles were spotted at the chaotic scene.
The Daily Mail reported that there were 146 dead and 150 injured from the deadly Seoul stampede.
Choi Seong-beom – chief of Seoul’s Yongsan fire department – said the death toll could rise because there are an unspecified number of victims in critical condition.
Michelle Ye Hee – Washington Post’sTokyo/Seoul bureau chief – wrote on Twitter, “There are still so many unidentified bodies and possibly even more casualties from Itaewon. Seoul city is compiling a roster of people calling in to ask about their missing loved ones. It’s 4:25 a.m., and the investigation and the identification of bodies is only just beginning.”
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the health ministry to immediately deploy disaster medical assistance teams and secure beds in nearby hospitals to treat the injured. He also demanded a review of the safety issues of the Halloween festivities.