South Korea: 100 injured and people ‘crushed to death’ in stampede at Halloween festivities in Seoul
South Korean officials say dozens of people were in cardiac arrest after being crushed by a large crowd pushing forward on a narrow street during Halloween festivities in the capital, Seoul.
Officials from the National Fire Agency said around 100 people were reported as injured during the crowd surge Saturday night in the Itaewon leisure district.
One said it was believed that people were crushed to death after a large crowd began pushing forward in a narrow alley near Hamilton Hotel, a major party spot in Seoul.
He did not give a specific number of the people being treated for cardiac arrest Sunday but said they were in the dozens.
Police said dozens of people are being given CPR on Itaewon streets while many others have been taken to nearby hospitals.
Some local media reports earlier said the crush happened after a large number of people rushed to an Itaewon bar after hearing an unidentified celebrity visited there.
A local police officer said he was told that a stampede occurred on the streets where a crowd of people gathered for Halloween festivities.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called for officials to ensure swift treatment for the injured and to review the safety of the festivity sites.
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