At least 59 dead, 150 injured in Seoul Halloween crowd crush

[onthedarkside]

 

SEOUL — At least 59 people died and at least 150 more were injured after an apparent crowd crush during Halloween celebrations in the Itaewon area of Seoul Saturday night, according to fire department officials.

 

Witnesses reported a chaotic scene of partygoers cramped into narrow streets near the Itaewon station, some trying to leave the area after a night of celebrations. Some people couldn’t even move their limbs because of the elbow-to-elbow crowd.

 

(more)

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/29/itaewon-seoul-halloween-stampede/

 

 

 

[onthedarkside]

"Itaewon developed as a district of bars, nightclubs and shops catering to American soldiers based nearby in the decades after the Korean War. Now, it is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seoul, known for its nightlife, young patrons, foreign tourists and stylish restaurants."

 

"The stampede began at a narrow alleyway, right outside exit 2 of Itaewon station, outside a row of bars that included, among others, Oasis Bar & Cafe, Gathering and Ravo."

 

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/29/world/korea-halloween-stampede-itaewon

 

 

[kingkenny]

120 dead now

[Scott]

At least 146 killed in Seoul Halloween incident

https://edition.cnn.com/asia/live-news/seoul-south-korea-halloween-deaths/index.html

[JoseThailand]

A claustrophobic's nightmare...

[KhunBENQ]

First headline after waking up.

Terrible.

 

 

[anchadian]

RIP to all those that lost their young lives.

[Social Media]

 

[KhunBENQ]

I am cautious to avoid such cramped mass events. If it's free think twice.

First and last such chaotic event that I came into was a firework spectacle in Berlin 1984 with about a million visitors.

Edited October 30, 2022 by KhunBENQ

[KhunBENQ]

And considering popularity of travelling to SK it was to be feared: at least one Thai person died.

https://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish/posts/pfbid0v58NoVM52SX6pNoRxR7bGcz5GrBn7AvuyHfi6T7bicyTzQETjsQYKxwkAhnvimhrl

Edited October 30, 2022 by KhunBENQ

[onthedarkside]

The numbers here are continuing to evolve:

 

"At least 153 people were killed and dozens more hurt in an apparent crowd surge at packed Halloween festivities in the South Korean capital of Seoul, local officials say.

 

Among the 153 dead were 20 foreign nationals, according to the ministry. ... The victims include people from Iran, Norway, China and Uzbekistan

 

The crush took place in the nightlife district of Itaewon. What caused the crush is not clear..."

 

https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/seoul-south-korea-halloween-deaths/index.html

 

Washington Post later updating to at least 153 dead and about 82 injured.

 

At least 20 foreign nationals from 10 different countries were killed in the crush, including two Americans.

 

"South Korea declared a period of national mourning until Nov. 5, with flags flying at half-staff on federal buildings. A memorial site for victims will be erected in Seoul."

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/30/seoul-halloween-stampede-itaewon-south-korea/

 

 

[Scott]

Very scary.  I was in HK in 1993 when on New Year's Eve there was a similar type stampede in Lan Kwai Fong.  A group of us had gone there for the festivities.  The crowd was so large and it was packed so tight that I decided to head home.  Somehow, being unable to move didn't seem like a good time.

 

IIRC, around 20 people died.  None of my friends were injured, thank goodness.

[Dust]

I hope the BlankPink concert I hope to attend next year in Bangkok has none of the same crowding issues.  The group has become even more popular since their last visit.   

[candide]

I know this street. It was always packed at night on normal weekends.