After the mass panic in Seoul, which killed at least 153 people – including an Austrian – and partially injured up to 103 people, the inhabitants of the metropolis mourn the mostly female victims of the tragedy. A narrow, sloping alley in Itaewon’s entertainment district had become the downfall of the predominantly young part-visitors: countless people fell, became unconscious or suffocated, while others pushed from above and trampled them, eyewitnesses reported. They describe the cruel moments of misfortune.
Everything happened so quickly that the people in the crowd barely had time to flee, reports an eyewitness who took his life. It was “like a domino effect”. “I lost my balance and fell,” he told MBC. He didn’t want to get on recumbent bikes. “People were unconscious and calling for help.”
“There were people on the street at the intersection who were undergoing CPR,” said Karl S. of California, who works as an English teacher in Seoul. When he and his girlfriend came out of the subway station around 11pm on Saturday to celebrate, they initially thought a building had collapsed. “It was definitely busy. We didn’t know what was going on.”
“People lay on top of each other as in a grave”
The South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted an eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous. “People were on top of each other like in a tomb,” the witness described the scenes. “Some gradually lost consciousness, while others appeared dead at the time.”
First major events after Corona restrictions
The annual Halloween festival is one of the largest public celebrations in South Korea’s capital. Larger events for the festival took place again this year for the first time after the corona measures were largely relaxed. “Itaewon is extremely busy every year, but this year was just crazy,” said one young woman. According to reports, rumors circulated that a prominent YouTuber was on his way to or had already arrived at a club on the affected street. That attracted a lot of people.
In an interview with local broadcaster YTN, a doctor described chaotic scenes from the tragedy. “When I first attempted CPR, there were two victims on the sidewalk. But shortly after, the number exploded and outnumbered first responders,” Lee said.
‘Blood pumped from victims’ mouths’
Many passers-by came to help. It is difficult to put the events into words. “The faces of so many victims were pale. I couldn’t feel their heartbeat or breathing, and many of them had nosebleeds. When I tried to resuscitate her, I also pumped blood from her mouth.”
“Photos from Seoul break your heart”
There is also sympathy and bewilderment on social media: “Death can be so cruel and comes unexpectedly,” writes one user about the accident. “People who wanted to celebrate it died,” said another. “It’s terrible to know that people are fine – and just seconds later they are no longer with us.” “The photos from Seoul break your heart,” the user said in a tweet.
Video: Stampede in Seoul claims 150 lives
“It was really awful”
President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the stricken district and later declared it a special disaster area. He ordered a thorough investigation and declared national mourning. It should last until next Saturday. “It was really terrible,” he said in a speech. It was South Korea’s worst disaster since the Sewol ferry sank off the country’s coast in 2014, killing 304 people.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
