November 03, 2022

International Students Amongst Victims of the Seoul Stampede

A At least five international students were killed in a stampede in central Seoul, South Korea, this weekend. The incident occurred on October 29 in the city's popular nightlife district of Itaewon, where panic broke out during an event, killing at least 154 people.

Dozens more were hurt. The district held its first major Halloween celebration since most Covid-19 restrictions were lifted on Saturday night, with tens of thousands of people dressed up in elaborate Halloween costumes.

Thousands of people crammed into a narrow alleyway during the city's annual Halloween festivities, causing a deadly crush. There has been confirmation that 26 foreign nationals, including several students studying abroad, have died.

…five Iranians, four Chinese and four Russians, two Americans, two Japanese, and one each from France, Australia, Norway, Austria, Vietnam, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka are among the 26 foreign victims...

Five Iranians, four Chinese and four Russians, two Americans, two Japanese, and one each from France, Australia, Norway, Austria, Vietnam, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka are among the 26 foreign victims.

Anne Gieske, a University of Kentucky nursing student studying in Seoul for the fall semester, was among those killed. The loss of their daughter has left the family "devastated and heartbroken," according to her father, Dan, who described her as a "bright light, loved by all."

Stine Roalkvam Evensen, a Norwegian student at the University of Stavanger who was studying Korean at Yonsei University, was identified as the victim.

Her family described the news of her death as "unreal" and "hard to believe is true." According to Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK), her father, who had been in contact with his daughter just hours before the tragedy, told them that the Halloween celebrations also marked the end of Covid-19 restrictions in Seoul.

Posted in News and tagged News, South Korea, Seoul, Stampede, International Students, University of Kentucky
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