Oct. 29 (UPI) — At least 59 people were killed and more than 100 were injured during a stampede in a Seoul nightlife district amid Halloween festivities, authorities confirmed Saturday.
President Yoon Suk-yeol was personally presiding over emergency response efforts to the deadly crush in the city’s Itaewon neighborhood, the Yonhap news agency reported.
It’s not clear what exactly was behind the death toll, but pictures on social media from the scene show first responders performing CPR on multiple victims and others lying unconscious in the streets.
Another video posted on Twitter showed what appears to be emergency workers attempting to rescue victims trapped in a massive pile of people.
Witnesses said the stampede happened near the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, known as the city’s International District and home to several nightclubs and vibrant nightlife.
A large number of people were believed to have entered a narrow alley near the hotel.
More than 100,000 people were packed into the area at the time, the BBC reported. The celebration marked the city’s first Halloween celebration following two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
More than 400 emergency workers and 140 vehicles from across the country, including all available personnel in Seoul, responded to the crisis.
“A lot of young people have gathered here tonight. A lot of people came to the party and club, wearing costumes and a lot of people I’ve seen distraught and sad and there are chaotic scenes,” BBC reporter Hosu Lee said from the scene.
