South Korean officials say dozens of people were in cardiac arrest after being crushed by a large crowd pushing forward on a narrow street during Halloween celebrations in the capital Seoul.
Choi Cheon-sik, a National Fire Agency official, said about 100 people were injured in the wave of crowds Saturday night in the Itaewon recreation district. He did not provide a specific number of people treated for cardiac arrest on Sunday, but said they were among the dozen.
Choi said people were believed to have been crushed to death after a large crowd started coming forward in a narrow alley near the Hamilton Hotel, a major party venue in Seoul.
Police said dozens of people underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the streets of Itaewon while many more were taken to nearby hospitals.
A local police officer said he was also informed that a stampede occurred in the streets of Itaewon where crowds of people gathered for Halloween parties. The officer requested anonymity, saying details of the incident were still under investigation.
Some local media reports previously claimed the crush occurred after large numbers of people rushed to an Itaewon bar after hearing an unidentified celebrity visited there.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol released a statement calling on officials to ensure swift treatment for the injured and to review the safety of the party venues.
