150 people lost their lives due to overcrowding in Itaewon in South Korea during Halloween celebrations. A further 190 people were injured making this one of the deadliest incidents since the Sewol Ferry sank in 2014 killing more than 300.
Over 100,000 gathered in Itaewon for Halloween festivities which was the official end of social distancing. This was the first Halloween party the Koreans had enjoyed in three years.
The alleyway in which they were trapped was especially narrow, measuring to less than four metres wide. People were starting to have concerns about a possible crush as the crowd was continuously growing. It is believed that at least 11 phone calls were made to South Korean police around 4 hours before the tragedy occurred on Saturday night.
The youngest victim of this crush was known to be a 15-year-old middle school student. In fact, most of the casualties were in their 20s.
President Yoon Suk-yeol announced an official national mourning during a live speech to the country. ‘As President, who is responsible for the people’s lives and safety, my heart is heavy and I struggle to cope with my grief,’’ he said.
Kim Mi Sung is part of a non-profit organisation that advertises tourism in Itaewon. She had performed CPR on 10 unconscious people yet 9 of them were still proclaimed dead, she said. ‘I still can’t believe what has happened. It was like a hell.’
South Koreans will always keep in their hearts the tragedy that occurred on that night.
By Anabia and Megan
Boston High School Newsroom
Additional information by the New York Times and CNN