Two Americans were among those killed in a deadly stampede during Halloween festivities in South Korea on Saturday night.
At least 153 people, mostly in their teens and 20s, died after getting trapped and crushed when a huge crowd surged into a narrow alley in Itaewon, a nightlife district in Seoul.
Two U.S. citizens are among the dead, according to Michelle Ye Hee Lee, a reporter with The Washington Post, who reported the news on Twitter, citing the U.S. embassy in Seoul.
New, per the U.S. embassy in Seoul: Two U.S. citizens were among those killed Itaewon crowd crush.
— Michelle Ye Hee Lee (@myhlee) October 30, 2022
CBS News’ Margaret Brennan also tweeted that two U.S. citizens were among the dead on Sunday morning.
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. embassy for comment.
Choi Seong-beom, chief of Seoul’s Yongsan fire department, said 22 foreigners were among the dead, Reuters reported. He did not confirm their nationalities.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a one-week national mourning period on Sunday.
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
He also called for officials to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and review the safety of other large cultural and entertainment events to ensure they proceed safely.
“This is really devastating. The tragedy and disaster that need not have happened took place in the heart of Seoul amid Halloween [celebrations],” Yoon said during the speech. “I feel heavy hearted and cannot contain my sadness as a president responsible for the people’s lives and safety.”
President Joe Biden released a statement on Saturday evening saying he was grieving with South Korea in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and send our best wishes for a quick recovery to all those who were injured,” Biden said in a White House statement emailed to Newsweek. “The Alliance between our two countries has never been more vibrant or more vital – and the ties between our people are stronger than ever. The United States stands with the Republic of Korea during this tragic time.”
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.