US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described the Seoul stampede as’ heart-breaking ‘and reiterated Washington’s support for the Republic of Korea.
The White House national security advisor made the remarks on Twitter as he hoped for quick recovery of those injured in the incident. Taking to Twitter, Sullivan wrote, “We are thinking about all those who lost loved ones and hoping for a quick recovery for those injured.”
Taking to Twitter, Sullivan wrote, “We are thinking about all those who lost loved ones and hoping for a quick recovery for those injured.” “The United States stands ready to provide the Republic of Korea with any support it needs” he added
The incident reportedly occurred after a large group of people rushed to an Itaewon bar after hearing an unidentified celebrity visited there, Al Jazeera reported, citing the local media. Social media footage showed several people being assisted by rescue officials and private citizens at the scene, and numerous people performing CPR on people lying in poor condition on the streets.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Sunday announced a period of national mourning and ordered the lowering of flags over the deadly stampede. In a live address to the nation, Yoon said, “As president, who is responsible for the people’s lives and safety, my heart is heavy and I struggle to cope with my grief,” he said, adding, “the government will designate the period from today until the accident is brought under control as a period of national mourning and will place top priority in administrative affairs in recovery and follow-up measures,” reported South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
He also ordered all government offices to lower their flags to half-mast, according to his office. He also visited the site of the incident and later headed towards central Seoul to preside over a government response meeting.
During a briefing, Choi Seong-beom, the head of the fire department in Yongsan, said the nationalities of the foreigners who were killed in South Korea include those from Iran, Uzbekistan, China, and Norway.
The agency also reported that the victims in their 20s accounted for the age group most affected by the horrific Halloween stampede.