Four Chinese Citizens Become Victims of South Korea's Itaewon Halloween, Xi Jinping Sends Condolences

JAKARTA - Four Chinese citizens have been confirmed dead in a deadly Halloween celebration in Itaewon District, Seoul, South Korea on Saturday night, October 29.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to the families of the victims through South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday.

At least 153 were killed, including four of them Chinese nationals, according to the Chinese embassy in South Korea.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed his deepest condolences.

He hoped that the South Korean government would make various efforts to overcome the death toll, especially from the Chinese side.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also conveyed a message of condolences through his colleague PM Han Duck Soo.

The Chinese embassy reminded its citizens in South Korea to increase vigilance and maintain communication with local authorities.

The embassy has also contacted the families of the victims in China for further assistance.

The death toll due to overcrowding during Halloween celebrations in Itaewon has reached 153 people and 103 people were injured. Of the 153 people killed, 22 of them were foreign nationals.

An estimated 100,000 people gathered in Itaewon to celebrate the biggest Halloween party without wearing a mask since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Most of the victims were in their teens to 20 years. Among the dead, there were 97 women.

According to South Korean authorities' data in 2021, more than 750,000 Chinese citizens, or about 44 percent of the total number of foreign nationals living in the country.