After the Seoul tragedy: “Now I don’t know how to live” It’s never happened before: Taylor Swift occupies the top ten spots in the US charts

“I’m going to Itaewon to celebrate Halloween.” That was the last message that the 25-year-old South Korean sent to her father Kim. Tens of thousands wanted to party carefree this weekend in the popular entertainment district of the capital Seoul. It was the first weekend in three years that there were no more mask requirements and restrictions due to the pandemic.

But then more than 150, mostly young people, lost their lives Sunday night, crushed in a massive stampede down a narrow alley. For the country it is the worst tragedy in many years – for the bereaved it is probably the worst of their lives.

Kim cries as he shows his daughter’s latest message to local media reporters. “I thought I was no longer worried now that I’ve raised all my children. But now I don’t know how to live,” he said, according to a Guardian report, as he waited at a hospital’s funeral home on Sunday. .

“Have fun with mommy”

His daughter had died on his birthday. As a present, she had booked dinner at a fancy restaurant for her parents – and that evening she sent a message: “Have fun with Mom.” She herself had gone to the Halloween celebrations.

Shortly after 10 p.m., the catastrophe started in the trendy district with many international restaurants, bars and clubs: more and more people crowded into a sloping alley of only about four meters wide. No one could move, eyewitnesses report. This led to “other people screaming and falling like dominoes,” one anonymous person wrote on Twitter.

According to the fire service, more women than men died, nearly 100 in number. This is believed to be due to the relatively fragile physique of many women, “ntv” reports.

Suah Cho, 23, told CNN, “Some people went forward, others back, and then they pushed each other.” She stood on the edge of the crowd and was able to save herself in a building. Other people would have tried to climb up the walls of the buildings to escape the crowds. But whoever was in the middle had no chance.

Blesi wanted to study abroad for a long time

This must have happened to Steven Blesi, who died in the scrum. In the end, the American managed to go abroad for his studies. The 20-year-old has wanted this for a long time. However, this was not possible before due to the pandemic. His father Steve reports to the New York Times. “He was an adventurous and loving spirit,” his father said after the news of his son’s death. “That’s the only way I can describe him. The loss is just unbearable.”

The economics student was in the Korean capital for two months. He had just graduated high school and had gone out with friends to celebrate. When the first news of the accident reached the father in Atlanta, USA, he desperately tried to reach his son. He also posted a photo of his son on the Twitter platform and a request to be contacted if anyone could provide information.

“As if it would sting a hundred million times at once”

Later, a police officer called him from his son’s cell phone – and told him the news of Steven’s death. “It was like it would sting a hundred million times at once,” Blesi of the New York Times said. “It was like your world was collapsing. It was numbing and devastating at the same time.”

The fatalities include a total of 22 foreigners, Yonhap news agency reported Sunday evening citing the fire service: four people each from China and Iran, three from Russia, one each from the US, France, Australia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Norway and Kazakhstan. Sri Lanka, Thailand and Austria; the nationality of one victim had not yet been established.

K-pop singer and actor also passed away

Most of the deaths are older teens or in their twenties or thirties. Korean actor and singer Lee Ji-han was also killed in the crowd. His agency confirmed his death on Sunday.

The 25-year-old always had a smile on his face and greeted people with energy. “He was a bright and pure person and we can’t believe we won’t see him again,” the statement said. He will be remembered as someone who devoted himself to acting with great passion.

Lee rose to fame in 2017 for his performance at the “Produce 101” singing talent competition. After that, he successfully turned to acting, only a year later began to star in a web series.

Week-long national mourning declared

Two days after the incident, the government announced a thorough investigation into the disaster. They want to find out the cause of the accident and take the necessary measures to ensure that such an incident does not happen again, Prime Minister Han Duck Soo said on Monday. To this end, the government wants to ensure that the facilities and systems that have been taken are improved. Details were initially unknown. South Korean newspapers criticized the authorities for being clearly unprepared for the onslaught of such large crowds.

The disaster also caused consternation abroad. “The tragic events in Seoul shock us deeply,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wrote on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with the many victims and their families.” US President Joe Biden said the United States stands behind South Korea at this tragic time. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his condolences on behalf of the Japanese people. Kishida said he was deeply saddened and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured.

A week of national mourning has been declared in South Korea. Events and concerts have been canceled and flags must be flown at half mast across the country.

((t-online,dpa,AFP,Reuters,lib ))