World leaders express condolences over deadly Seoul Halloween crowd crush
(VOVWORLD) - At least 151 people were killed in a stampede on Saturday night in the South Korean capital of Seoul, fire department officials reported, with world leaders expressing their condolences to the victims.
 The scene of the stampede in Seoul, South Korea on October 29. (Photo: Yonhap/VNA) |
An additional 82 people were injured in the crush, which took place in the city's Itaewon district, where Halloween festivities were taking place.
Those killed or hurt were mostly teens and people in their 20s, according to Choi Seong-beom, chief of Seoul's Yongsan fire department.
South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed condolences to the victims, and his wishes for a speedy recovery to the many injured.
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden offered their deepest condolences, calling the incident tragic. They sent their deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. They grieved with the people of the Republic of Korea and sent their best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that on behalf of Canadians, he is sending his deepest condolences to the people of South Korea today, following a deadly stampede in Seoul.
French President Emmanuel Macron offered France’s “heartfelt” support to South Korea. Mr. Macron tweeted heartfelt thoughts for the residents of Seoul and the Korean people after the tragedy at Itaewon saying that France is by their side. Reacting to the “horrific news”, UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that all their thoughts are with those currently responding and all South Koreans at this very distressing time.