![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/south-korea-how-the-halloween-tragedy-unfolded/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/127428966_alley_getty.jpg&description=Image source, ReutersImage caption, A person pays tribute near the scene of the stampede during Halloween festivities, in SeoulAfter more than 150 people died in a deadly crush in Seoul on Saturday night, the BBC looks at how the tragedy unfolded. By early evening on Saturday, thousands of mainly young people had converged in Itaewon in the centre of the South Korean capital, a lively party spot whose warren-like streets and alleys are filled with bars and restaurants.Some accounts say 100,000 people had descended on the area to celebrate Halloween, excited about the prospect of partying again after two years of strict Covid restrictions in the country. Nuhyil Ahammed, 32, was among the crowd. The IT worker from India lives nearby and had been to Halloween parties in Itaewon for five years running. Last year the celebrations had been lively, but under control, with police preventing people from entering busy areas. Things were very different this year, he said. "It was crazy," he told the BBC. "From 5pm there were too many people on the streets. So I was thinking, what's it going to be like from seven or eight?" Around this time, social media messages were being posted online with people saying that the streets of the district were so crowded they felt unsafe. Mr Ahammed and a group of friends spent the evening in Itaewon, hanging around a narrow, sloping alley off the district's main street that was about to become the main focus of the tragedy."We always go to this alley," he said. "I don't know why, but there are always good bars and people in costume." By 11pm it was clear something was wrong, and an alarmed Mr Ahammed found himself caught up in a huge crowd of people. "People began pushing from behind, it was like a wave - there was nothing you could do," he said. "Even if you were standing still, someone was pushing you from the back and from the front." Mr Ahammed fell to the ground but managed to climb above the crowd up some steps along the side of the alle){kind=link}
After more than 150 people died in a deadly crush in Seoul on Saturday night, the BBC looks at how the tragedy unfolded.
By early evening on Saturday, thousands of mainly young revellers had converged in Itaewon in the centre of the South Korean capital, a lively party spot whose warren-like streets and alleys are filled with bars and restaurants.
Some accounts say 100,000 people had descended on the area to celebrate Halloween, excited about the prospect of partying again after two years of strict Covid restrictions in the country.
Nuhyil Ahammed, 32, was among the crowd. The IT worker from India lives nearby and had been to Halloween parties in Itaewon for five years running.
Last year the celebrations had been lively, but under control, with police preventing people from entering busy areas. Things were very different this year, he said.