Death Toll from Itaewon Halloween Stampede Up to 153 to Include 2 Americans
The death toll could go even higher with many more people still in the hospital in critical condition:
As of Sunday evening, officials put the death toll at 153 and the number of injured people at 133. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said the death count could further rise as 37 of the injured people were in serious conditions.
Ken Fallas, a Costa Rican architect who went Itaewon with expat friends, used his smartphone to film video showing unconscious people being carried out from the alley as others shouted for help. He said the loud music made things more chaotic.
“When we just started to move forward, there was no way to go back,” Fallas said. “We didn’t hear anything because the music was really loud. Now, I think that was one of the main things that made this so complicated.”
Ninety-seven of the dead were women and 56 were men. More than 80% of the dead are in their 20s and 30s, but at least four were teenagers. At least 20 of the dead are foreigners from China, Russia, Iran and elsewhere. Two of the dead are U.S. citizens, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul confirmed in a statement Sunday.
Stars & Stripes
You can read more at the link, but no word yet if the two Americans were USFK service members or not. This report says that USFK has not reports of any casualties though they are still accounting for personnel. Once again condolences to all the friends and families impacted by this tragic disaster.
I agree GI. This is not the time to be blaming anyone. This is a time to try to provide support for the wounded and the familes and friends of those killed and wounded.
All so young.
Please forgive me for reminding us all that our earthsuit has an expiration date, but that’s not the end of our life. And I want everyone to have a chance to be happy after we “shuffle off this mortal coil” (or however that old line from Hamlet goes).
You can find the whole story at biblegateway dot com; but three verses in Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians (3:23, 6:23, and 10:13) is a good place to start your investigation.
Please only tell people you don’t hate. Folks might get saved and spend eternity in Heaven with you if they pay attention.