It was the first big Halloween celebration since the end of Covid-19 restrictions on people gathering

More than 149 people have died in a stampede among huge crowds for Halloween festivities in Itaewon, Seoul, government officials said.

The first big Halloween celebration since the end of Covid-19 restrictions on people gathering turned to tragedy on Saturday night on Oct. 29, when huge crowds of partygoers, many in their late teens and 20s, converged in the entertainment district for late-night Halloween celebrations.

Firefighters do emergency relief work at Itaewon, Seoul on Oct. 29.
Firefighters do emergency relief work at Itaewon, Seoul on Oct. 29.

Authorities are still investigating what caused the incident, but Choi Seong-bum, chief of the Yongsan-gu Fire Department, said it was a stampede, in which many people fell, injuring at least 76 people.

"Many casualties were incurred as a crowd of people fell over during Halloween parties," said Choi.

Witnesses said that even before the chaos broke out, partygoers were packed so tightly in the narrow streets that it was difficult to move around.

Emergency services carry injured people after a stampede to nearby hospitals.

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