Halloween crowd crush Seoul, South Korea: Australians feared dead as 151 killed by stampede

The federal government is scrambling to find out if any Australians were killed or injured in a stampede that has left at least 151 people dead and dozens more hurt in South Korea. 

The disaster happened as a huge crowd celebrating Halloween on Saturday night surged into an alley in the capital city Seoul, in a nightlife area that is popular amongst young people, expatriates and travellers.

At least 151 people died in the crowd crush with 19 of those reported to be foreigners with details of their nationalities yet to be released by authorities.  

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The federal government is scrambling to find out if any Australians were killed or injured in a stampede that has left at least 151 people dead in South Korea

The disaster happened as a huge crowd celebrating Halloween surged into an alley in a nightlife area, which is popular amongst young people, expatriates and travellers, in the capital Seoul on Saturday night

The Australian embassy is urgently making enquiries with local authorities to find out if any Australians were involved. 

Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Catherine Raper urged family back home to check in with any loved ones who had travelled to the country.

‘We ask all Australians in Seoul to check in with friends and family to let them know your whereabouts,’ she tweeted. 

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said he was not aware of any Australians caught up in the incident.

‘It’s chilling to see this story as it has come across. Our embassy officials are highly professional and they will be working through and making contact,’ he said.

‘The death toll that we are looking at at the moment, it seems fairly inevitable that is likely to rise.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shared his sympathies with South Korea in a tweet on Sunday. 

The Australian embassy is urgently making enquiries with local authorities to find out if any Australians were involved

‘Our sincere condolences for all affected by this terrible tragedy,’ he wrote. 

A further 82 people were injured, many seriously, in the melee around 10.30pm in Seoul’s Itaewon district.

It was the first Halloween event in Seoul in three years after the country lifted Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing.

Many of the partygoers were wearing masks and Halloween costumes. Most were teenagers or in the early 20s going out after spending much of the past three years in lockdown.

Choi Sung-beom, head of the Yongsan Fire Station said many of the victims were women in their 20s, according to Reuters.

Australians concerned about the welfare of loved ones in Seoul can call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135. Those outside Australia can call +61 2 6261 3305