Indonesian Embassy In Seoul: No Indonesian Citizens Become Victims in the Deadly Halloween Festival in Itaewon

JAKARTA - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Seoul said that no Indonesian citizens (WNI) were victims of the Halloween celebration event in Itaewon, South Korea.

"Until this morning, information from the police stated that there were no known Indonesian citizens who were victims," ​​the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul said in a written statement received in Jakarta, Sunday.

On Saturday, October 29 at around 22:00 local time, a sad event occurred at the Halloween celebration in Itaewon which resulted in fatalities and injuries, he wrote.

The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul is coordinating with various parties to dig up information about the possibility of Indonesian citizens becoming victims.

Based on reports in various Korean national media, there are currently around 149 fatalities and 76 injured. It is feared that this number will increase.

In response to this, President Yoon Suk Yeol held an emergency meeting and ordered immediate action for all his staff to evacuate the victims, prevent additional casualties and maintain the situation at the scene.

According to Reuters, at least 146 people were crushed to death when crowds celebrating Halloween crammed into a central alley of nightlife in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, on Saturday, October 29 evening, authorities said.

Images on social media showed hundreds of people crammed into the narrow and sloping alley, pinned and unable to move.

Meanwhile, emergency response officers and the police are trying to free them from the crash.

Other images show chaos as firefighters and residents deal with dozens of apparently unconscious people.

Several foreigners were among the victims who were taken to nearby hospitals.

A Reuters witness said the morgue was set up in a building opposite the scene.

About 48 bodies were later seen being carried on wheeled stretchers and transferred to a government building for identification, the eyewitness said.

The Halloween party was the first time it had been held in three years after South Korea lifted COVID-19 restrictions and a ban on gatherings.

Itaewon is a popular district among young South Koreans and foreigners.