Seoul Halloween stampede: Death toll rises to 151, 19 identified as foreigners

The death toll in the horrific Seoul Halloween stampede rose to 151 with 19 of them identified as foreigners South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported citing fire authoritiesDuring a briefing Choi Seongbeom the head of the fire department in Yongsan said the death toll from Saturdays accident rose to 151 which included 19 foreigners Their nationalities include those from Iran Uzbekistan China and Norway Choi addedThe agency also reported that the victims in their 20s accounted for the age group most affected by the horrific Seoul Halloween stampede Moreover the agency citing the Seoul metropolitan government said Sunday it has received about 270 reports of missing persons related to the deadly stampede during Halloween parties in the Itaewon districtAt least 151 people were killed and 76 others were injured after a deadly stampede during Halloween celebrations in Seouls Itaewon district on Saturday at 1020 pm 1320 GMT Al Jazeera reported citing the officialsAlso read Can Rishi Sunaks roots bolster IndiaUK ties Experts offer clarityThe incident reportedly occurred after a large group of people rushed to an Itaewon bar after hearing an unidentified celebrity visited there Al Jazeera reported citing the local media Social media footage showed several people being assisted by rescue officials and private citizens at the scene and numerous ones performing CPR on people lying in poor condition on the streetsThe packed Halloween festivities in South Koreas capital of Seoul took place after covid restrictions were removed the local officials said The festivities marked the participation of more than a lakh visitors and the number of casualties is only expected to riseEmergency officials received at least 81 calls from people with breathing difficulty South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reportedA large crowd pushed forward on a narrow street during Halloween festivities resulting in dozens needing first aid South Koreas President Yoon Sukyeol ordered the dispatch of the emergency medical team to the area and said hospital beds should be prepared to minimize casualties his office saidNumerous people had trouble breathing when the chaotic stampede occurred as dozens were seen giving CPR to people lying lifeless on streets postincident South Korean President Yoon SukYeol presided over an emergency response meeting Sunday over the deadly stampede as per the officialsShortly after the accident Yoon came to the presidential office in Yongsan and presided over a response meeting related to the Seoul Itaewon Halloween accident the presidential office saidThe top priority is transporting and rescuing the patients and providing prompt medical treatment for the affected people local media reported quoting Yoon as sayingAuthorities are still looking into the exact cause of the accident as the investigation is underwayEmergency forces were dispatched following the crowd surge which resulted in fatalities Firefighters and police officers also reached the Itaewon neighbourhood in Seoul to bring the situation under control ANI