Horrible: Tragedy Strikes Seoul With 153 Killed in Halloween Party Disaster

Tragedy struck in Seoul, Seoul Korea when a massive Halloween party went awry and a stampede led to the deaths of 153, including two Americans.

All of the deaths reportedly occurred because of the stampede, with those who died being killed by either trampling, suffocation, or some combination thereof.

As two Americans died, President Joe Biden shared his condolences with the families following the US embassy confirming the deaths, saying:

“Jill and I are devastated to learn that at least two Americans are among so many who lost their lives in Seoul. Our Hearts go out to their loved ones in this time of grief, and we continue to pray for the recovery of all who were injured.”

So good for Biden for not politicizing this tragedy, or at least not yet.

Joining the president in speaking about the tragedy was the US embassy, which commented to CNN on the matter, saying:

“Our staff in Seoul and colleagues in the United States are working tirelessly to provide consular assistance to the victims of last night’s incident and their families.”

“The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is working closely with local authorities and other partner organizations to assist U.S. citizens affected. We offer our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and continue to assist the injured. Due to privacy considerations, we have no additional details at this time.”

The US ambassador to South Korea spoke on the matter as well as the president and embassy, saying:

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives last night, including two young Americans celebrating alongside their Korean friends and others from around the world.”

During the massive stampede, not only were 153 people killed due to trampling and suffocation but 133 others were injured. Among the injured partygoers were three American citizens.

The Washington Post added to the report by noting that among those killed was a University of Kentucky student named Anne Gieske.

The University of Kentucky President, Eli Capilouto, spoke on Anne Gieske’s death in a statement, saying:

I have the incredibly sad responsibility to inform you of the loss of one of our students over the weekend.

More than 150 people died this weekend — and dozens more were injured — as a crowd of some 100,000 people came together during a popular, traditional Halloween gathering in Seoul, South Korea. The crowd apparently surged at some point into a crush of people. Details of what happened and why are still unfolding.

But one of our students, Anne Gieske, was among them.

Anne, a nursing junior from Northern Kentucky, was studying in South Korea this semester with an education abroad program. We have two other students and a faculty member there this semester as well. They have been contacted and are safe.

We have been in contact with Anne’s family and will provide whatever support we can — now and in the days ahead — as they cope with this indescribable loss.

The other student killed in the stampede was a junior from Kennesaw State University in Georgia named Steven Blesi, who was also studying abroad in South Korea at the time of the disastrous stampede.

President Yoon of South Korea, speaking on the matter, said:

“This is truly tragic. A tragedy and disaster that should not have happened took place in the heart of Seoul last night.”

By: TheAmericanTribune.com