Seoul Halloween crowd crush
 | This article is about a current disaster where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The latest page updates may not reflect the most up-to-date information. |
| File:Halloween festival in Itaewon.jpg A typical scene of Halloween celebration in Itaewon, pictured here in 2015 | |
 | |
| Date | 29 October 2022 |
|---|---|
| Time | c. 10:20 p.m. KST (UTC+9) |
| Location | Itaewon-dong, Seoul, South Korea |
| Coordinates | 37°32′05″N 126°59′36″E / 37.534781°N 126.993378°E |
| Type | Crowd crush |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Deaths | At least 146[1] |
| Non-fatal injuries | At least 150 |
| Itaewon Stampede Accident | |
| Hangul | 이태원 압사 사고 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 梨泰院壓死事故 |
On 29 October 2022, a crowd crush occurred during a Halloween festival in Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea. At least 146 people died and 150 were injured.[1][2][3]
The crowd crush is the worst peacetime disaster in South Korea since the sinking of MV Sewol in 2014, which killed more than 300 people.[4]
Background
The Itaewon district, located in central Seoul, is a popular location for gatherings as the area hosts nightclubs and bars.[5] Approximately 100,000 people attended the Halloween event in Itaewon.[6] It was the most attended Halloween festival in the area during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6][7]
Incident
The crowd crush occurred at 22:20 local time[8] along a narrow street near Hamilton Hotel, according to officials.[7] Local media groups stated that people crowded into a bar because of a rumor that an unidentified celebrity was present.[9] The street in which the incident happened was connected to a major street, with the road sloping downward and eventually meeting with another street, causing the people to be packed and pushed along the narrow segment in the road. The street was only about 50 meters long and 5 meters (16.5 feet) wide, preventing emergency services from entering the street entirely. Emergency officials said at least 81 calls were made by people experiencing breathing difficulties. Photographs and videos on social media showed scenes of turmoil as festival attendees dressed in costumes attempted to resuscitate the injured.[5]
Aftermath
Seoul officials said at least 140 people died, with more expected.[10] The National Fire Agency and Ministry of the Interior and Safety said nearly 100 people were injured and 50 received medical attention for cardiac arrests.[11] Bodies were laid on the streets, covered by blue sheets,[7] as paramedics performed CPR on people. Some bodies were transported away by ambulances.[6] The Yongsan fire department said the death toll may climb as many more injured people were transported to hospitals across the city.[7] Seventy-four bodies were transferred to hospitals while 46 remained on the streets.[9]
Response
An emergency message was issued to mobile phones in Yongsan urging people to immediately return home due to an "emergency accident near Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon".[6] The National Fire Agency said 400 emergency personnel across the country had been deployed to the scene.[12]
The Mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-hoon, who was on a trip to Europe, returned to Seoul. President Yoon Suk-yeol attended an emergency brief. He suggested swiftly treating the injured and reviewing the safety of festivity sites.[12]
References
- ^ a b "At least 146 dead in Seoul Halloween crowd crush". 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "120 Dead, 100 Injured in Stampede in Itaewon, Seoul". KBS World. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ "[속보] "사망 146명·부상 150명 등 인명피해 296명"". YTN (in Korean). 30 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ Sang-Hun, Choe (29 October 2022). "The Itaewon tragedy is the worst peacetime disaster in South Korea since the Sewol ferry sank in 2014, killing more than 300 people". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ a b Gallo, W. (29 October 2022). "Dozens Hurt, Many Feared Dead in Seoul Stampede". Voice of America. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d Lee, W.; Thomas, M. (29 October 2022). "Many feared dead in South Korea Halloween crush". BBC News. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d Tong-Hyung, K.; Kim, H.-J. (29 October 2022). "At least 59 dead, 150 injured in Seoul after Halloween crowd crush". PBS News. Associated Press. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ Choi, S.; Williams, A. (29 October 2022). "South Korea stampede death toll rises to 120, fire authorities say". Reuters. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ a b "120 killed in Halloween crowd crush in South Korea". Al Jazeera. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ Lee, M. Y. H.; Cho, K. K.; Pietch, B. (29 October 2022). "At least 120 dead in Seoul Halloween crowd crush". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ Tong-Hyung, K.; Jim, H.-Y. (29 October 2022). "Officials: 9 Dead After Halloween Crowd Surge in Seoul". Bloomberg News. Associated Press. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ a b "At least 59 dead and 150 injured after stampede during Halloween festivities in Itaewon, South Korea". Sky News. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.