Dozens of people were reported to be in cardiac arrest after being crushed by a large crowd pushing through a narrow street during Halloween festivities in Seoul.
Choi Cheon-sik, an official from the national fire agency, said about 100 people had been reported as injured during the surge on Saturday night in the Itaewon leisure district.
Choi said it was believed that some people had been crushed to death after a large crowd began pushing forward in a narrow alley near Hamilton hotel, a major party spot in Seoul.
He said more than 400 emergency workers from around the country had been deployed to the streets to treat the injured. Video on social media showed first responders administering CPR on multiple people lying in the street.
Police also confirmed that dozens of people were being given CPR on Itaewon streets, while many others had been taken to nearby hospitals.
A local police officer said he had also been informed that a stampede had occurred on the streets of Itaewon, where a crowd had gathered for the Halloween festivities. The officer requested anonymity, saying the details of the incident were still under investigation.
Some local media reports earlier said the crush happened after a large number of people rushed to an Itaewon bar after hearing that an unidentified celebrity was visiting.
The South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, issued a statement calling for officials to ensure swift treatment for those injured and review the safety of the festivity sites.
He also instructed the health ministry to swiftly deploy disaster medical assistance teams and secure beds in nearby hospital to treat the injured.
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