At least 146 killed in Halloween crush as revellers surge up narrow street in Seoul, South Korea

At least 146 killed in Halloween crush as revellers surge up narrow street in Seoul, South Korea

AT LEAST 146 people are dead and another 150 hurt after a stampede during Halloween celebrations in South Korea.

Graphic pictures show body bags lined up on pavements and shaking survivors being treated by medics following the crush in a popular party district in the capital Seoul.

Rescuers were filmed trying to pull people trapped underneath dead bodies as field hospitals were thrown up to deal with hundreds of casualties.

Survivors were also seen strewn across the pavement wrapped in foil blankets to stay warm following the crush in Itaewon on Saturday night.

Amid the horror one man was filmed climbing up a wall to escape the surge as 100,000 revellers celebrating Halloween panicked.

The horror unfolded on a narrow downhill alley after a throng of partygoers flooded into it, the Yonhap News Agency said.
"As people in the front fell over, those in the back were crushed," a witness in his 20s told the news agency.

More than 800 emergency workers from across the country rushed to the scene close to the Hamilton Hotel.

One witness described the number of bodies piling up as looking like a "tomb".

Police said scores were being given CPR on the streets while many others were taken to nearby hospitals.

Witness Raphael Rashid arrived in the area around 7pm local time and not long after panic erupted as "more and more" people flooded in.

He told the BBC: "So many people - to the point we were being crushed on the pavement, to the point where we had to spill onto the road where there were cars.

"No one really understood what was going on."

AFP news agency said 140 ambulances were scrambled to the horror scene before taking victims off on wheeled stretchers.

Authorities in Seoul say dozens of people collapsed and went into cardiac arrest after being crushed by the huge crowd.

It came as there were claims an unidentified celebrity was at a nearby bar.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reacted in horror to the crush, saying: "Horrific news from Seoul tonight.

"All our thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time."

While French President Emmanuel Macron offered his "heartfelt thoughts" adding: "France is by your side."

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a statement calling for officials to ensure swift treatment for those injured and review the safety of the festivity sites.

He also ordered disaster medical teams to be deployed.

It is the first time people in Seoul have been able to celebrate Halloween without a face mask since the pandemic.

Seoul's mayor Oh Se-hoon, who was visiting Europe, has decided to return home in the wake of the accident.