PM Modi expresses deep anguish over South Korea's Halloween stampede

The stampede took place on Saturday night and led to death of at least 26 foreign nationals from 14 countries when crowd celebrating Halloween swelled in narrow alleys of Seoul's nightlife district

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wrote a letter to South Korea's President Yoon Suk-Yeol and expressed deep anguish over the deadly Halloween crowd crush that killed atleast 153 people and left many injured in Itaewon, Seoul.

The stampede took place on Saturday night and led to the death of at least 26 foreign nationals from 14 countries when crowds of people celebrating Halloween swelled in narrow alleys of Seoul's popular nightlife district.

"PM @narendramodi in his letter to ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol @President_KR has expressed deep anguish at the tragic loss of lives at yesterday's stampede incident in Seoul. He also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the friends and families who lost their loved ones.@mofa_kr," the Indian Embassy in South Korea tweeted on Sunday.

Seoul Metropolitan Police said they have confirmed the identities of nearly all those killed in an apparent crowd surge at Seoul's popular nightclub district Itaewon on Saturday.

The identities of 150 people killed have been confirmed, police told CNN on Sunday. The death toll from the disaster stands at 153. The three bodies who have yet to be identified are all young women whose nationalities have yet to be verified, they added.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday also expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the horrific Seoul Halloween stampede and said India stands in solidarity with South Korea during this difficult time.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Deeply shocked at the loss of so many young lives due to the stampede in Seoul. Our condolences to the families of those who lost their dear ones. We stand in solidarity with the Republic of Korea during this difficult time."

The incident reportedly occurred when a large group of people rushed to an Itaewon bar after hearing an unidentified celebrity was visiting 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 many rescue officials performing CPR on people lying in poor condition on the streets.

The packed Halloween festivities in South Korea's capital of Seoul took place after Covid restrictions were removed, the local officials said.

The festivities marked the participation of more than a lakh visitors and the number of casualties is only expected to rise.

"Shortly after the accident, Yoon came to the presidential office in Yongsan and presided over a response meeting related to the Seoul Itaewon Halloween accident," the presidential office said.

"The top priority is transporting and rescuing the patients and providing prompt medical treatment for the affected people," local media reported quoting Yoon as saying. Authorities are still looking into the exact cause of the accident as the investigation is underway.

Emergency forces were dispatched following the crowd surge which resulted in fatalities. Firefighters and police officers also reached the Itaewon neighbourhood in Seoul to bring the situation under control.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared a period of national mourning.