BAt least 151 people have been killed in a mass panic in the South Korean capital Seoul, according to the fire department. Another 82 people were also injured in the accident, some of them seriously. 19 foreigners were among the dead. The death toll could continue to rise. President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered a thorough investigation and national mourning.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened when there was an extreme crowd in a narrow, slightly descending alleyway in the busy Itaewon district on the eve of Halloween. For the visitors, the alley, which is not even 100 meters long, with bars and restaurants on both sides, became a trap: numerous visitors fell to the ground, while others moved up. The crowds had backed up behind.
Many of the victims were smothered, crushed or trampled on. “Because there were many people on the hill, people pushed the others from above,” public broadcaster KBS quoted a witness as saying. They all fell because of the load and were crushed.
“Layed on top of each other as in a grave”
The exact circumstances of the disaster are still unclear, the police said it would also check whether there were violations of safety regulations. According to the reports, the first reports of the accident were received by the fire brigade and police at around 10:15 p.m. local time.
Initially, the fire department had spoken of dozens of people with cardiac arrest. Photos and videos showed people lying on the ground being cared for by rescue workers. According to the fire department, more than 140 ambulances were on site. Police officers cordoned off the scene of the accident in the popular nightlife area. President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered hospital beds to be vacated as soon as possible.
The South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted an eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous. “People were layered on top of each other like in a tomb,” the witness described the scenes. “Some gradually lost consciousness, while others looked dead by that point.”
Condolences from Biden and Scholz
In an interview with local broadcaster YTN, a doctor described chaotic scenes from the tragedy. “When I first attempted CPR, there were two victims lying on the sidewalk. But shortly thereafter, the numbers exploded, surpassing the number of first responders on the scene,” Lee said. Many passers-by came to help.
It is difficult to put the events into words. “The faces of so many victims were pale. I couldn’t feel their pulse or breathing, and many of them had bloody noses. When I tried to revive her, I also pumped blood out of her mouth.”
The tragedy caused worldwide dismay. US President Biden said the US is “standing with” South Korea at this tragic time. “We mourn with the people of the Republic of Korea and wish all those injured a speedy recovery,” the Democrat wrote on Twitter.
“The tragic events in Seoul shock us deeply,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with the many victims and relatives.” It was a sad day for South Korea, added Scholz. “Germany stands by their side.” French President Emmanuel Macron made a similar statement.
The Halloween festival coming from the USA is actually celebrated on the night of October 31st to November 1st. It goes back to a Celtic custom, according to which evil spirits should be driven away at the beginning of the dark season.