President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has joined the list of world leaders to offer condolences to South Korea after a Halloween tragedy in Seoul’s Itaewon district on Saturday killed more than 150 people.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic stampede in Seoul,” President Jokowi wrote on his official Twitter on Sunday. “My deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Indonesia mourns with the people of South Korea and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.”
Hundreds of people have died in Itaewon while celebrating a Halloween party that has been suspended for nearly three years. The hustle and bustle and enthusiasm of the people actually led to grief. The death toll continues to rise. Government officials and police are also investigating the tragedy, which is said to have killed more than 150 people.
Some information was obtained from various witnesses at the location. Here’s how the Itaewon tragedy that killed hundreds of people happened.
The Crowd Surge With Thousands of People
Source: Freepik
The crowd surge and weigh down hit withinside the capital’s famous Itaewon district in South Korea, in which police estimate as many as 100,000 people – mainly of their teenagers and 20s – went to have fun Halloween on Saturday night, clogging the area’s slim alleyways and winding streets, witness reported.
By 11 PM it became clear that something was wrong, and witnesses said he stepped into a large crowd.
“People started pushing from behind. It was like a wave. There’s nothing we can do about it,” he said.
It was around 10 PM local time that the situation became hopeless. Several people fell on the slope, causing a big crash. Crowds rolling in from both ends of the narrow streets meant no one could get out.
The witness watched it happen as people took their last breaths and just helplessly looked at those people suffocating.
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More Than 150 People Dead During The Itaewon Halloween Tragedy
Initial reviews stated that approximately 50 people had suffered cardiac arrests – a not unusual reason of dying all through a crush – however it became clear from the grim picture baggage lining the streets that this became a prime incident.
The first confirmed death toll became issued at 02:30 AM local time. The official stated that 59 people had died and similarly 150 have been injured. An hour later the numbers had jumped to 120 deaths and 100 injured. Now, it is reported that the Halloween tragedy killed more than 150 people.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol Held an Emergency Meeting
Within hours of the tragedy, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol announced an emergency meeting to investigate the cause of the tragedy. On Sunday morning, he announced nationwide mourning.
“My heart is heavy and I’m having a hard time coping with the grief,” he said, adding that he felt “responsible for people’s lives and safety.”
It’s a busy Sunday afternoon, but the day after the tragedy, many shops, restaurants and cafes were closed and the area’s main roads were closed to the public. A local resident told the BBC he was shocked to see body bags lined up on the road.
As the country grapples with the unfolding tragedy, attention inevitably shifts to safety standards and crowd control measures as people question whether more could have been done to avert this tragedy.
