Foreign leaders send condolence messages to South Korea over the Itaewon stampede

Seoul: World leaders sent messages of condolences and support to South Korea after a deadly stampede in Seoul’s Itaewon district killed at least 151 people during Halloween celebrations.

“We grieve with the people of South Korea and send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those who were injured,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Sunday.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a tweet: “All our thoughts are with those currently in charge and with all South Koreans at this very troubling time.”

In a message written in French and Korean, French President Emmanuel Macron said: “I express my condolences to the citizens of Seoul and to the Korean people for the disaster in Itaewon. France is by your side.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a tweet that his country was “deeply saddened by the tragic events in Seoul,” calling it a “sad day for South Korea.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also left similar messages of deep condolences, Yonhap news agency reported.

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said: “Deeply saddened by the terrible events in central Seoul. What should have been a celebration turned into a tragedy with so many young victims. We stand with the people of South Korea at this difficult time.”

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan tweeted that he hoped for a “speedy recovery of those injured” in the “heartbreaking” incident and that the US “stands ready to provide South Korea with whatever support it needs”.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also said: “We send our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of those killed and injured, and to the people of South Korea as they mourn this horrific tragedy,” referring to Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.