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Rescue workers and firefighters at the scene of the tragedy.Credit:

In an interview with news channel YTN,Hwang Min-hyeok,a visitor to Itaewon,said it was shocking to see rows of bodies near the hotel. He said emergency workers were initially overwhelmed,leaving pedestrians struggling to administer CPR to the injured lying on the streets. People wailed beside the bodies of their friends,he said.

Another survivor in his 20s said he avoided being trampled by managing to get into a bar whose door was open at the alley,Yonhap news agency reported. A woman in her 20s surnamed Park told Yonhap that she and others were standing along the side of the alley while others caught in the middle of the alley had no escape.

Choi,the fire department chief,said that bodies were being sent to hospitals or a gym,where bereaved family members could identify them. He said most of the dead and injured are in their 20s.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the government sent its deepest condolences to those affected by the incident.

Rescue workers and firefighters try to help injured people.Credit:Lee Jin-man,AP

“The Australian embassy in Seoul is urgently making enquiries with local authorities to ascertain whether any Australians are involved,” a spokesperson said.

The last South Korean disaster this deadly also hit young people the hardest. In April 2014,304 people,mostly high school students,died in a ferry sinking. The sinking exposed lax safety rules and regulatory failures;it was partially blamed on excessive and poorly fastened cargo and a crew poorly trained for emergency situations. Saturday’s deaths will likely draw public scrutiny of what government officials have done to improve public safety standards since the ferry disaster.

It was also Asia’s second major crushing disaster in a month. On October 1,police in Indonesia fired tear gas at a soccer match,causing a crush that killed 132 people as spectators attempted to flee.

More than 1700 response personnel from across the country were deployed to the streets to help the wounded,including about 520 firefighters,1100 police officers and 70 government workers. The National Fire Agency separately said in a statement that officials were still trying to determine the exact number of emergency patients.

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.

The belongings of victims are seen abandoned at the scene of the deadly stampede.Credit:Getty Images

This was the deadliest crushing disaster in South Korean history. In 2005,11 people were killed and around 60 others were injured at a pop concert in the southern city of Sangju.

The Australian government said those concerned about the welfare of loved ones can call DFAT’s Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 or +61 2 6261 3305.

Reuters and AP

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