At least 149 people have been confirmed dead and another 150 injured following a stampede during a celebration of Halloween in South Korea.
The event which took place on Saturday night during a Halloween party in Seoul, the capital of South Korea has been described as one of the deadliest peacetime accidents in the country's recent history.
Reuters reports that Halloween is traditionally celebrated on October 31, but the Seoul celebration was the first in three years after COVID restrictions were lifted.
Image: The Cable
According to local news media about a hundred thousand people gathered on the narrow streets of the Itaewon nightlife district in Seoul on Saturday, for the celebration, but a surge in the large crowd caused a stampede, which resulted in several people being crushed to death.
Those who attended the gathering captured it on video, showing hundreds of people crammed together and other footage of people who appeared to be unconscious while receiving chest compressions.
US President Joe Biden sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families, as well as wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
“Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and send our best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured,” the message reads.
“The Alliance between our two countries has never been more vibrant or more vital – and the ties between our people are stronger than ever.
“The United States stands with the Republic of Korea during this tragic time.”
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