King Charles III has sent a condolence message to President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea after over 150 people were killed celebrating Halloween over the weekend in Seoul.
The King said: “I wanted you to know how deeply shocked and saddened both my wife and I are to hear of the many people who have lost their loved ones as a consequence of the recent, tragic incident in Itaewon, Seoul.
“However inadequate this may be under such heartbreaking circumstances, we extend our deepest possible sympathy to all the bereaved families. We also offer our special thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who suffered injury.
“Recalling our meeting during your own gracious visit to London to attend the funeral of Her late Majesty The Queen, please be assured that the United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of the Republic of Korea at such a time of national mourning.
“Charles R.“
On the evening of 29 October, thousands of people were in the popular Itaewon district of the Korean capital to celebrate Halloween. Packed into a narrow alley, over 150 people were crushed to death. Most of those killed were in their teens and 20s, and emergency responders have warned the number of deaths could rise. Nineteen of the 154 killed were foreigners, including two American university students.
Witnesses to the deadly crush have said people “fell like dominos,” with one talking of watching his friend get crushed in a “wall of bodies.”
Over 1,700 emergency workers from across South Korea have been dispatched to Seoul to help.
President Yoon has declared a national period of mourning in the country and declared the Itaewon district a disaster zone.
