59 Die in stampede at Halloween festivities in Seoul

Seoul, Oct 30 (EFE).- At least 59 people are dead and 150 others injured as the result of a stampede during Halloween celebrations in the center of Seoul, YTN television reported early Sunday.

The human stampede took place at 10.32pm Saturday near the Hamilton Hotel, in front of the metro station serving the Itaewon district, which hosts an annual festival for Halloween.

This year’s event was the first since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic at which masks were not required and South Korean media reported that turnout was massive.

Located near the headquaters of United States military forces in South Korea, Itaewon is known as the capital’s international district and boasts numerous bars and restaurants.

Videos circulating on social media show emergency service workers carrying out resuscitation efforts on dozens of people collapsed on the ground.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered an emergency operation to aid those affected. EFE asb/jt/dr