PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has sent a letter of condolences to the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, over the tragic incident that occurred in Itaewon district of Seoul during Halloween festivities on Saturday, 29 October.

In his letter, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated "I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic accident in Itaewon district of Seoul on 29 October 2022 which caused the loss of many lives and many injured.”

On behalf of the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen extended his deepest condolences and sympathy to the President and people of the Republic of Korea, especially the families of the bereaved.

The Prime Minister added, “While Cambodia is with the Republic of Korea at this sorrowful moment, I also wish for a speedy recovery to those who are injured.”

On Saturday, 29 October, at least 154 people were crushed to death when a crowd surged in an alleyway of Itaewon district in Seoul, South Korea. An estimated crowd of 100,000 people had flocked to the popular nightlife district for Halloween festivities.

Emergency officials have said that most of the deaths were people in their 20s, adding that the death toll could rise as many are still injured and some even in critical condition. At least 26 foreigners from 14 different countries are among the deceased, officials have said.

It was the first Halloween event in Seoul in three years to be virtually free of Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing. Many of the partygoers were wearing masks and Halloween costumes.

Witnesses described the crowd becoming increasingly unruly and agitated as the evening deepened. Chaos erupted just before the 10:20 pm stampede, with police on hand for the event at times struggling to control the crowds, witnesses said.

The disaster is the country's deadliest since a 2014 ferry sinking that killed 304 people, mainly high school students.

The sinking of the Sewol ferry, and criticism of the official response, sent shockwaves across South Korea, prompting widespread soul-searching over safety measures in the country that are likely to be renewed in the wake of Saturday's crush.