[Itaewon Tragedy] 153 Dead in 'Halloween Tragedy'... Continuing Messages of Condolence (Comprehensive)

153 Dead, 103 Injured

Among the Dead, 97 Women... Relatively Greater Impact
20 Foreign Fatalities from China, Iran, Russia, USA, etc.

Government Declares 'National Mourning Period' and Establishes Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for Full Response
Condolence Messages from World Leaders, Economic and Religious Sectors

On the 30th, ahead of Halloween, large-scale crush disaster occurred in the Itaewon area. Bouquets were placed in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the victims. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] A massive crowd gathered in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ahead of Halloween, resulting in a large-scale crush disaster. This accident caused a staggering 153 deaths. This is the largest casualty incident in South Korea since the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014, which claimed 304 lives.

On the 30th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that as of 4:30 PM, the death toll from the Itaewon disaster the previous day had risen by 2 to a total of 153. Among them, 20 were foreign nationals, an increase of one from the previous count.

The number of injured also increased. According to the Central Disaster Headquarters, there are 24 seriously injured and 79 with minor injuries, totaling 103. This is an increase of 21 injured people, including 5 seriously injured, compared to the previous count.

The death toll surged from 59 at 2 AM to 149 at 6 AM, then steadily increased to 151 by 11 AM and 153 by 4:30 PM. There is a high possibility that additional deaths may occur among the seriously injured.

Among the deceased, 97 were women and 56 were men. It is presumed that the relatively smaller stature of women led to greater harm as a sudden high pressure was applied in the narrow street. The 20 foreign nationals who died were from 12 countries, including China, Iran, Russia, the United States, France, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Norway, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Austria.

The number of missing persons reports received by Seoul also increased to 4,024. As of 5 PM, 3,932 were reported by phone and 92 by visit. The police have formed an investigation headquarters to determine the cause of the accident and have dispatched forensic teams to hospitals where bodies are kept to contact the bereaved families.

In the early morning of the 30th, 119 rescue workers dispatched to the Itaewon disaster site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, are transporting the injured to the hospital. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The deceased have been placed in 42 hospitals and funeral homes in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, including Ilsan Dongguk University Hospital, Pyeongtaek Jeil Funeral Hall, Ewha Mokdong Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital, Boramae Hospital, Samyook Seoul Hospital, Seongnam Central Hospital, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, and Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. The injured are receiving treatment at 38 hospitals, including Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital.

According to the fire department, reports began coming in continuously from around 10:15 PM the previous day near the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, where people were being crushed and experiencing breathing difficulties.

With Halloween marking the first 'no mask' event since COVID-19, a huge crowd gathered in Itaewon, and especially many citizens crowded the accident site, leading to the disaster. The police explained that the road was slippery and liquids such as alcohol were spilled, which worsened the damage. In particular, the large crowd delayed the entry of ambulances and rescue personnel, increasing the casualties.

'National Mourning Period' Declared... Yongsan-gu Designated as 'Special Disaster Area'

The Presidential Office and government have entered an emergency response posture. The Presidential Office reportedly fully rescheduled President Yoon Suk-yeol’s itinerary to focus on accident management and is maintaining an all-hands emergency response posture.

President Yoon chaired an emergency situation briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office building at 1 AM and later, at 9:50 AM, declared a national mourning period and promised swift accident management in a public address from the briefing room on the first floor of the Presidential Office. He also visited the accident site in person that morning.

The government has established the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, to respond with full force. Prime Minister Han stated that the headquarters will remain in place "until all matters are properly resolved and all institutional reforms that satisfy our citizens are achieved."

Ahead of Halloween, President Yoon Seok-yeol is inspecting the site in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a large-scale crush disaster occurred on the 30th./Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The national mourning period, as directed by the president, was designated from that day until November 5. Seoul’s Yongsan-gu, where the disaster occurred, was declared a special disaster area. Seoul City will operate a joint memorial altar at Seoul Plaza starting on the 31st, and Yongsan-gu will do the same at Itaewon Plaza.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was on a business trip in Europe, abruptly canceled his schedule and returned home urgently. Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport that afternoon, Mayor Oh expressed, "I offer my deepest condolences to the deceased and their families," and pledged, "We will do our best in the recovery efforts."

A funeral support team has been formed for the deceased, and psychological support is being provided to families of the injured. Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min said regarding support related to the special disaster area declaration, "Compensation will be provided to the families of those who died, medical expenses to the injured, funeral costs for the deceased, and all other necessary support." He added, "The central government will provide substantial support jointly with local governments."

Regarding psychological support, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that starting that day, an 'Itaewon Accident Integrated Psychological Support Team' will be formed and activated, involving the National Trauma Center, Seoul Metropolitan Mental Health Center Yongsan, and local mental health welfare centers. A support team of about 100 members will provide psychological support to approximately 600 bereaved families, 150 injured, and about 1,000 witnesses.

Condolence Messages from the US, China, Japan, and Other Countries

Condolence and sympathy messages have also poured in from abroad and various sectors of society.

US President Joe Biden issued a statement on the 29th (local time), saying, "I extend my deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul," and "We mourn with the Korean people and wish a speedy recovery to the injured." He added, "The alliance between our two countries is more vibrant and dynamic than ever, and the bonds between our peoples are stronger than ever. The United States stands with Korea during this tragic time."

On the afternoon of the 30th, a mourning flag was hung at the U.S. Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the accident victims. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a condolence message to President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 30th, stating, "I understand that a crush accident occurred in Seoul causing significant casualties," and "On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I express my deepest condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured."

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed, "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the very tragic accident in Itaewon, Seoul, where many people, including young people, lost their precious lives," and "At this difficult time, I express solidarity with the Korean government and people." He continued, "On behalf of the Japanese government and people, I offer heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families," and "I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said.

Additionally, messages of condolence came consecutively from world leaders such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and foreign embassies in Korea.

Messages of condolence also came from the business community. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated in a condolence message, "We pray for the repose of the victims and offer our deepest condolences to their families," and "We wish for the speedy recovery of the injured." The Federation of Korean Industries also expressed, "We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families who must be in shock and grief from the sudden news," and "We wish for the quick recovery of the injured."

On the 30th, ahead of Halloween, large-scale crushing disaster occurred in the Itaewon area. Memorial flower bouquets are placed near the site of the Itaewon crushing accident in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The religious community also expressed condolences in unison. The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism said in a statement, "We offer our deepest condolences to the victims and families of the Itaewon disaster on Halloween Day, the 29th," and "We pray for the peaceful afterlife of the young souls who lost their lives unexpectedly and wish for the speedy recovery and return home of the injured."

The Korea Christian Federation (HanKyocheong), the largest Protestant coalition, also stated in a statement, "We express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their families in the unfortunate accident in Itaewon," and "We pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea released a condolence message under the name of Secretary-General Father Lee Cheol-soo. The conference said, "We entrust the victims who tragically lost their lives to God's mercy," and "We offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and also pray for the speedy recovery and peace of the injured."

Citizens also visited the accident site to pay their respects. High school student Yoon Dong-hyun (16) said, "It seemed like the death toll kept increasing by 30 every time there was a media briefing," and said he came to the site to express his condolences. Yoon said a friend was there an hour before the accident, feeling relieved but added, "There were also teenagers among the deceased, and as a fellow high school student, it is heartbreaking," wiping away tears.

Flowers also began to be placed near Exit 1 of Itaewon Station close to the accident site. Two foreign women came in the afternoon, saying, "We came to express our sorrow after hearing the news of the accident," laid flowers, and soon left the site.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.