Around 151 people died and more than 150 were injured in a stampede that occurred in Itaewon at an important marketplace in South Korea`s capital Seoul, wherein a big crowd had assembled for Halloween festivities. Mostly who died had been in their 20s and the government has ruled out any drug involvement in the incident.
President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea issued an investigation order today, claiming that a fatal stampede at the Halloween celebration “should not have happened.” In addition, he commanded that flag be lowered and declared a day of national mourning.
Hardly people of South Korea have forgotten the deadliest disaster that occurred in 2014 when more than 300 people had been killed in a Sewol Ferry sank.
Many world’s prominent figures have conveyed their condolences.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron both conveyed their sorrow to the South Korean people.
The top EU diplomat, Josep Borrell, expressed his grief and sorrow, while Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, pledged US support.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed sympathy for the tragedy’s victims and pledged the country’s support for the bereaved people, describing his sadness at the loss of the young lives as “profound.”
Background Check
Itaewon is one of the most well-liked areas in Seoul for a night out, a core area of the megacity with hundreds of shops and nightclubs.
Local news sources claim that every weekend, locals and foreign visitors throng there, but Halloween used to be one of the busiest nights of the year.
It was the first Halloween since the outbreak of the epidemic where gathering sizes were unrestricted and costume requirements were waived, and an estimated 100,000 people attended the celebration on Saturday.
How Incident Unfolded?
At approximately 10.22 p.m., the first emergency was reported, according to South Korean media.
Over 100,000 people were said to be in the narrow alley near the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, and a large crowd was flowing out of the hotel as well as the Itaewon metro station.
According to The Korea Herald, numerous people collapsed nearby the hotel soon before midnight local time, according to the report. The first complaint of breathing problems was reported to the Fire department at about 10.30 pm. Within the next hour, the distress call and cases reached 100.
According to claims in Korean media, a “Celebrity” emerged at one of the establishments along the alleyway, which caused the crowd to swell.
Cries And Chaos
Over two hours later, news outlets PTI and AFP, citing officials, reported the first deaths. By 8 am morning, the toll had risen from the first reported 9 to 59 and then 149.
According to reports, the lane where the stampede occurred is about four meters wide, making it too small to even adequately contain a Sedan.
People began collapsing on top of one another as the throng continued to press, and eventually, symptoms of suffocation and cardiac arrest began to appear.
Administration In Action
As commotion erupted in the congested streets, police and firefighters somehow arrived at the scene and could be seen attempting to revive those who had suffered cardiac arrests. Even Common people also attempted resuscitation to revive as many as possible.
Emergency medical personnel started CPR on victims because ambulances could not arrive immediately at the overcrowded scene.
Itaewon is currently experiencing complete mayhem as Halloween night has turned into a horrible night full of chaos, cries, regrets, and lifeless bodies.
The crush seemed to start in a narrow, sloped lane that was crowded. Images and videos shared on social media show how crowded the lane was, making it hard for anyone to walk around. Hue and cry can be heard all along the street.
Do You Really Want To Hear What Government Is Saying After Horrific Incident?
President Yoon said in a national address that “a catastrophe and disaster occurred in the center of Seoul that should not have happened” and vowed to “thoroughly investigate” the incident to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.
He had also called for a review of the security and safety of celebration sites. The crowd control methods and security measures in place at these events will likely come under scrutiny.
The government had announced a period of national mourning beginning today and lasting until the accident is under control and give administrative procedures linked to recovery and follow-up measures a priority.
The exact cause of the tragedy is still being determined.
