South Korean President declares national mourning following death of 151 people in Halloween stampede

Seoul: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol yesterday announced national mourning and ordered the lowering of flags over a deadly Seoul stampede during Halloween celebrations that killed at least 151 people, including 19 foreigners. A day after the stampede, Yoon in a live address to the nation, said that it was truly horrific. He said that this tragedy should never have happened. 

He further said that the government will designate the period from Sunday until the accident is brought under control as a period of



national mourning and will place top priority on administrative affairs in recovery and follow-up measures. He said that the most important thing is to determine the cause of the accident and prevent similar accidents in the future.

The packed Halloween festivities in South Korea's capital Seoul took place after Covid restrictions were removed. The festivities marked the participation of more than a lakh visitors and the number of casualties is only expected to rise.