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Scores Killed in Halloween Stampede in Seoul's Itaewon Neighborhood

by William Gallo

   Seoul --

   South Korean emergency officials say at least 146 people were killed
   during a stampede in a party-going district in South Korea's capital,
   where young people had gathered for Halloween celebrations.

   More than 150 people were also injured in the incident in Seoul's
   Itaewon area, which had been packed with Halloween crowds Saturday
   night, officials said at a late-night news conference.

   The Itaewon area, located in central Seoul, is lined with nightclubs
   and bars that are popular with expatriates and locals.

   The district was packed with partygoers celebrating Halloween. Local
   media estimated about 100,000 people had gathered for Halloween
   festivities.

   It is not immediately clear what sparked the rush, which started behind
   the Hamilton Hotel in a narrow alley lined with clubs.

   A VOA reporter on the scene reported masses of crowds continued to
   linger outside Itaewon establishments at 3 a.m. Sunday, as emergency
   officials nearby rushed bodies into a stream of waiting ambulances.

   A witness told VOA that during the initial chaos, she thought that
   people lying on the ground were drunk or passed out, but she later
   found out they were injured or dead. The partygoer did not provide a
   name because of the sensitivity of the situation.

   Hours after the incident, many revelers remained stunned, some laughing
   -- seemingly in shock -- and some crying, as they struggled to make
   sense of the situation.

   Officials did not provide information on how many foreigners were
   killed or injured. They said it was difficult to identify the bodies,
   in part because many were wearing Halloween costumes, and many were not
   carrying identification.

   Earlier, pictures and videos posted on social media depicted scenes of
   chaos as revelers, many dressed in Halloween costumes, attempted to
   resuscitate those who had been injured.

   South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose office is near Itaewon, was
   presiding over a late-night government response, his office told
   reporters. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is in Europe, has decided to
   return home.