[Itaewon Tragedy] Prosecutors Complete Autopsies for 122 of 154 Deceased... 84 Bodies Delivered to Families

38 Deceased Under Identification Including Next of Kin... Prosecutors Awaiting On-Site, Conducting Rapid Autopsy

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] As the death toll from the crush accident in Itaewon ahead of Halloween Day has reached 154, the prosecution has completed autopsy procedures for 122 victims.

On the 30th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that as of 8:40 p.m., autopsy procedures for 122 of the 153 victims nationwide across 15 prosecutors' offices have been completed, and 84 bodies have been handed over to their families.

The prosecution stated that for the remaining 38 victims whose identities and families are being confirmed, the bodies will be handed over immediately upon confirmation.

The prosecution is working closely with the police to identify victims, contact families, and verify victims with families, carrying out only the minimum necessary procedures. Prosecutors on emergency standby are conducting on-site autopsies and proceeding with autopsy procedures as quickly as possible under verbal instructions.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, as of 8:50 p.m. on the same day, the death toll from the Itaewon disaster increased by one to 154. There are 56 male victims and 98 female victims. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has confirmed the identities of 153 victims and is notifying their families. Additionally, 26 foreign victims from 14 countries have been identified.

The number of deaths surged from 59 at 2 a.m. to 149 at 6 a.m., then increased to 151 by 11 a.m., 153 by 4:30 p.m., and 154 by 8:50 p.m. The fire authorities expect that additional deaths may occur among the critically injured.

The deceased have been placed in 42 hospitals and funeral homes in the 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.

The government has designated a national mourning period from today until the 5th of next month and declared Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where the disaster occurred, a special disaster area. Starting from the 31st, Seoul City will operate a joint memorial altar at Seoul Plaza, and Yongsan-gu will operate one at Itaewon Plaza.

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