At least 151 people were killed and 82 others were injured in a deadly crush in Seoul's Itaewon district, South Korea, as huge crowds of partygoers stampeded at late-night Halloween celebrations, local authorities said on Sunday (Oct. 30).
The incident took place on Saturday (Oct. 29) night in a narrow downhill alley near Hamilton Hotel in the famous nightlife district, after a throng of partygoers flooded into it, according to witnesses.
Police estimated that roughly 100,000 people had participated in the Halloween parties.
"Many casualties were incurred as a crowd of people fell over during Halloween parties," Choi Seong-beom, head of the fire department in Yongsan, was reported as saying by Yonhap News Agency.
Most of the victims were teenagers and young adults in their 20s, according to local authorities.
One Chinese national was killed in the stampede, according to the Chinese embassy.
The exact cause of the incident is still unclear.
After the incident, the Hong Kong Immigration Department immediately sought information through the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy.
So far, no requests for assistance from Hong Kong residents have been received.
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