French and Austrian nationals amongst 154 useless in Seoul crush – POLITICO

A French nationwide and an Austrian nationwide had been amongst 154 individuals killed within the lethal Halloween crush in South Korea’s capital Seoul on Saturday, native media reported, as European leaders expressed shock and solidarity following the catastrophe.

One other 133 individuals had been injured as partygoers turned trapped in a slender, downhill alley in Seoul’s Itaewon nightlife district, in keeping with the Yonhap Information Company. The demise toll may but rise increased, with 37 individuals reported to have sustained severe accidents. Whereas the official variety of useless stands at 153, police information places the demise toll at 154, Yonhap reported.

Many of the victims had been younger individuals attending the primary Halloween celebrations within the metropolis for 3 years, following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Ninety-five of these killed had been of their 20s and 4 of their teenagers, officers stated.  

No less than 26 international nationals had been among the many useless, in keeping with South Korea’s international ministry. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul stated in an announcement that two Individuals had been killed and the French international ministry confirmed that one in all its residents had additionally died, CNN reported. Citing officers, Yonhap reported that 4 Chinese language, 4 Iranian, and three Russian nationals had been among the many useless in addition to nationals of Norway, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Korean police have launched an investigation into the reason for the catastrophe. Witnesses described a surge of individuals right into a slender again alley, with the primary studies to emergency companies made at round 10:15 p.m. native time.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated his ideas had been with the residents of Seoul, including “France is at your facet.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated the catastrophe — South Korea’s worst civilian disaster for the reason that 2014 Sewol ferry sinking — had come “as a shock to us all.” In an announcement posted to the U.S. Embassy’s web site, President Joe Biden expressed his “deepest condolences to the households” of these killed.