Halloween celebrations in Seoul, South Korea ended in horrific tragedy as more than 154 people lost their lives and around 133 were injured in a human stampede that triggered a series of horrific images.
The South Korean government promised to thoroughly investigate the causes that caused this catastrophe, since the reason for the stampede is still unknown. In addition, since the morning of October 30, national mourning was proclaimed in the country.
On the afternoon of October 29, thousands of people began to gather in the streets of Itaewon, a popular neighborhood that is located in the center of the South Korean capital and that is famous for the parties that are organized in its alleys in the middle of bars and restaurants.
Apparently, around 100,000 people came to the place to have fun, because after two years of restrictions due to the covid-19 pandemic, they were eager to celebrate Halloween, which caused much more people to come than usual.
Nuhyil Ahammed, a 32-year-old Hindu, was a survivor who was among the crowd and gave an interview to the BBC, where he recounted what he experienced on that night of terror.
It was crazy. From 5:00 pm there were too many people in the streets. So I thought, ‘What will it be like after 7:00 or 8:00?’ We always go to this alley. I don’t know why, but there are always good bars and people in costumes. People started to push from behind, it was like a wave, nothing could be done. Even if you were standing still, someone was pushing you from behind and from the front.
The man reported that although he also fell to the ground, he managed to climb some steps that were on the side of the alley.
People were choking, screaming, crowding, falling, there were too many people. I was on the step watching everything happen, people taking their last breaths. I felt helpless seeing those people suffocating.
The emergency was such that everyone was trying to help. In the videos that circulate on social networks, you can see many people trying to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to those who were unconscious.
In addition, 140 emergency vehicles were deployed and more than 400 first responders attended the emergency. According to data provided by the Yongsan Fire Department, the fatal victims were mostly young people in their 20s, of whom almost a hundred were women.
Nobody understood what was happening and they pushed us about 50 meters. Inconsistent people keep coming out, I think there are more than 30 already. #이태원 #itaewon pic.twitter.com/WbsJhqpOC0
— 켄 (@_anyone) October 29, 2022
The president of the Asian country, Yoon Suk-yeol, organized a meeting with his team and announced that an investigation will be carried out to find out the causes of the accident.
My heart is heavy and I find it hard to bear my pain. I feel responsible for people’s lives and safety.
Unfortunately, the Fire Department also reported that the death toll could rise as there are 37 people in critical condition.
Source: Okchicas
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