The South Korean authorities put the death toll at 146 dead and more than 150 injured in the crowd that took place this Saturday during the Halloween festivities in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
At a press conference, Seoul fire chief Choi Seong-beom said that at least 25 people were being revived, reports the Efe news agency.
An earlier assessment, also by Seoul’s fire chief, put the death toll at 59, with the official warning that the death toll could rise as relief work progresses.
Authorities said people were crushed to death after a large crowd began moving into a narrow alley near the Hamilton Hotel, a major party venue in Seoul.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a statement urging officials to ensure prompt treatment of the injured and review the safety of the festivities.
He also instructed the Ministry of Health to quickly dispatch disaster medical assistance teams and secure beds at the neighboring hospital to treat the injured.
Local media said some 100,000 people flocked to the streets of Itaewon for the Halloween festivities, which were the largest since the start of the covid-19 pandemic.
Source: TSF
