At least 146 died after mass panic at Halloween festival in Seoul, South Korea
At least 146 people died in a stampede to South Korea. 150 people were injured. The panic was born during a Halloween party.
The death toll has risen to 146 after the mass panic at Halloween celebrations. Previously there was talk of 59, then 120 people who died. The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Sunday evening, citing information from the authorities. 150 people were injured. More than 400 rescuers from around the country have been sent to the scene, according to national firefighters.
The tragedy occurred in Itaewon’s nightlife district after crowds poured into a narrow side street. Online videos circulating on social media showed dozens of people covered in blue plastic sheeting on the side of the road. Overall, according to Yonhap, the emergency services tried to resuscitate more than 50 people. The death toll could continue to rise overnight, it reads.
Seoul: Attempts to resuscitate people on sidewalks after stampede
Social media videos showed victims on the sidewalk as bystanders tried to resuscitate them. According to eyewitness accounts, the streets around the crash scene were so crowded that rescuers had a hard time making their way through the crowds. According to Yonhap, a total of 142 rescue vehicles have been deployed.
President Yoon Suk-yeol chaired an emergency meeting on Sunday evening. Before that, he ordered more emergency personnel to be sent to the area and hospital beds made. According to Yonhap, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is currently visiting Europe, has canceled all scheduled meetings and announced his immediate return. The exact causes of the tragedy were initially unclear.