153 people have been confirmed dead after a stampede broke out in a large crowd in Itaewon in Seoul on Saturday afternoon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms on Sunday morning that a Norwegian citizen is among the dead.
Updated just now
The chaos arose at around 10.20pm local time, in connection with a Halloween celebration out in the streets of the popular club district of Itaewon.
The tragedy occurred when many people rushed into a narrow and steep alley. VG has seen a large number of videos that show how young people are squeezed together and fight to get space and breathe.
South Korean media write that several had suffered cardiac arrest after being squeezed or stepped on in the chaos.
On the night of Sunday, the authorities updated the death toll to 153. Among these are 22 foreign nationals from 12 different countries, according to Yonhap.
According to fire chief Choi Seong-bum ii Yongsan, most of the dead are in their teens and 20s.
On Sunday morning, the Foreign Ministry’s press guard confirms that a Norwegian citizen is among the dead.
– It is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts go out to the next of kin, says press officer Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde to VG.
Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt sends his condolences:
– My warmest thoughts today go out to the family and friends of the Norwegian citizen who died in the tragic incident in Seoul, says Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.
– What was supposed to be a party turned into a tragedy and many young people are affected.
1 / 6
previous
next
full screen
UD: Still working to get an overview
Ane Haavardsdatter Lunde in the Foreign Ministry states that the embassy in Seoul has been in close contact with local authorities throughout the night.
– The embassy in Seoul is still working to get an overview of the situation. It is a complex process and the situation is still unclear, says Lunde.
– Could there be more Norwegians involved?
– We are still working to get an overview. Throughout the night we have been in contact with Norwegians in Seoul and their family members.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages Norwegian citizens in South Korea to contact family and friends who may be concerned. Norwegians who need assistance can also contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly.
Many have had cardiac arrests
The chaos occurred around 22:20 local time, in connection with a Halloween celebration out in the streets of the popular club district of Itaewon.
Yonhap writes that many people rushed into a narrow and steep alley between World Food Street at the Hamilton Hotel and the main street at Itaewon Station.
VG has seen a large number of videos that show how young people are squeezed together and fight to get space and breathe.
South Korean media write that several had suffered cardiac arrest after being squeezed or stepped on in the chaos.
– People were lying on top of each other in several layers. Some gradually lost consciousness, while others already looked as if they were dead, says an eyewitness.
The newspaper writes that police and fire crews had difficulty getting there because of all the people. There were also not enough paramedics on hand to help everyone who was life-threateningly injured.
Pictures and videos show people lying lifeless on the ground, while many are doing heart compressions. Several are also carried away on stretchers by ambulance workers, who work on explosives.
Choi Cheon-sik from the fire service in Seoul tells AP that 76 of the dead were rescued At the hospital. The rest are said to have been left on the street, before being taken to a nearby training center to be identified.
Several of the injured are in critical condition, according to the fire chief.
– Everyone looked completely lifeless
The BBC writes that around 100,000 people will have been out in the streets to celebrate Halloween without masks for the first time since the pandemic.
– Many young people gathered here last night. Many came here in costumes to party, and many were distraught and sad when the chaotic scenes unfolded, the BBC’s reporter at the scene, Hosu Lee, told the channel.
– The ambulances removed the bodies one by one, he adds.
Local media reports that the chaos arose when a celebrity was spotted at one of the nearby bars. This has not yet been confirmed.
CNN writes that at one point it appeared that many people tried to flee the area and that panic in the narrow streets, alleys and dead ends may have played a role in the tragedy.
Swedish Alex Noble was a witness from the main street of Itaewon when the chaos arose during the celebration. The 22-year-old, who lives in Seoul, talks about the drama to Sveriges Radio:
– It never ended, everyone looked completely lifeless, he says to the radio channel.
Noble estimates that he saw at least 60 lifeless people in front of him.
– I have never seen so many people die, he adds.
President: My heart is heavy
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared a national period of mourning, and on Sunday morning shared his condolences to the families of the victims, following the shocking tragedy.
An investigation has already been set up to get to the bottom of how the incident may have happened.
The president calls it a tragedy that should not have happened.
– As a president who is responsible for security, it is difficult to hold back the grief, my heart is heavy, Yoon said at the press conference.
There he also said that the case has the highest priority nationally and that he wants immediate measures to prevent something similar from happening again.
The South Korean government has announced that it will provide support for a fund that covers funerals and support for the victims’ families.
– Our country has a tradition of overcoming disasters together and united. I strongly ask everyone to contribute, so that we can overcome grief and rise again, says Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
At least four Chinese citizens are among the dead and President Xi Jinping sent out a message of condolence on Sunday:
– On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, I send my deepest condolences to the victims, their families and the injured, writes the Xinhua news agency.
