At least 149 killed in Seoul Halloween crowd surge | CNN

No less than 146 folks have died and 150 have been injured in an obvious crowd surge throughout packed Halloween festivities in Seoul Saturday night time, based on the Yongsan Fireplace Division chief.

Listed here are the most recent developments.

Dying toll might rise: With native hospitals treating dozens of injured folks from the Seoul Halloween emergency, the dying toll will doubtless improve, a neighborhood well being official stated. The reason for accidents and deaths within the incident has not been formally confirmed, added Choi Jae-won, the top of Yongsan Well being Middle.

Official blames crowd surge: A neighborhood fireplace official described the emergency as a “presumed stampede,” however the investigation is simply starting. Few particulars on particular accidents have been supplied. Yonhap Information Company reported dozens of individuals suffered from “cardiac arrest” and hassle respiratory.

Authorities stated the emergency was not because of a gasoline leak or a hearth within the fashionable nightclub district. They began receiving studies of individuals “buried” within the crowds there round 10:24 p.m. native time (9:24 a.m. ET) Saturday.

Witnesses observe chaotic scene: A witness stated folks have been jammed on a slim avenue and couldn’t breathe. “I noticed the folks going to the left facet and I noticed the individual attending to the alternative facet,” Sung Sehyun informed CNN. “The individual within the center received jammed, so they’d no strategy to talk. They might not breathe.”

CNN’s Will Ripley reported {that a} lengthy line of stretchers forming on the road could be used to take our bodies from the scene.