Two Americans were among those killed in a deadly stampede during Halloween festivities in South Korea on Saturday night, the U.S. State Department said on Sunday.
At least 153 people, mostly in their teens and 20s, died after getting trapped and crushed when a huge crowd surged into a narrow alley in Itaewon, a nightlife district in Seoul.
“We can confirm that two U.S. citizens were among those killed in the tragedy in Itaewon on October 29th,” a U.S. State Department official told Newsweek in an email. “Our staff in Seoul and colleagues in the United States are working tirelessly to provide consular assistance to the victims of last night’s incident and their families. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is working closely with local authorities and other partner organizations to assist U.S. citizens affected.”
The statement concluded: “We offer our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and continue to assist the injured. Due to privacy considerations, we have no additional details at this time.”
The American flag was lowered to half-staff at the U.S. embassy in Seoul on Sunday, in what Philip Goldberg, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, described as a gesture of “sorrow and respect.”
“I’m devastated by the tragic loss of life in Itaewon last night,” Goldberg tweeted. “Please know my thoughts, and those of our team at U.S. Embassy Seoul, are with the Korean people and especially the loved ones of those who perished, as well as the many injured in this catastrophic incident.”
Out of sorrow and respect to the Korean people after last night’s tragic events in Itaewon, I asked our Marines to lower the U.S. flag to half-staff.
지난밤 이태원 참사 이후 한국 국민에 대한 위로와 존경의 표시로, 미 해병대원들에게 요청해 미국대사관의 성조기를 조기 게양했습니다. pic.twitter.com/q5WpPSE48y
— Ambassador Philip Goldberg (@USAmbROK) October 30, 2022
Choi Seong-beom, chief of Seoul’s Yongsan fire department, said 22 foreigners were among the dead, Reuters reported. He did not confirm their nationalities.
Rescue workers set up a makeshift emergency medical facility by a main road in Itaewon, according to local media reports. More than 140 ambulances were mobilized from across the country as well. Some of the injured were sent to Seoul National University Hospital, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong and Hanyang University Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a week of national mourning. He also called for officials to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and review the safety of other large cultural and entertainment events to ensure they proceed safely.
“This is really devastating. The tragedy and disaster that need not have happened took place in the heart of Seoul amid Halloween [celebrations],” Yoon said during the speech, according to the Associated Press. “I feel heavy hearted and cannot contain my sadness as a president responsible for the people’s lives and safety.”
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was in Europe on a visit at the time, but decided to cut the trip short and return to South Korea as the news of the stampede emerged, according to The Korea Times.
President Joe Biden released a statement on Saturday evening saying he was grieving with South Korea in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and send our best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured,” Biden said in a White House statement emailed to Newsweek. “The Alliance between our two countries has never been more vibrant or more vital – and the ties between our people are stronger than ever. The United States stands with the Republic of Korea during this tragic time.”
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