Buhari condoles with South Koreans over death of 151 in Seoul stampede

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday condoled with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeo, and the people of the country over Saturday’s stampede at Itaewon district of Seoul in which many young persons were killed.

Suk-yeo declared a period of national mourning on Sunday after the Halloween killed 151 people.

Yoon expressed condolences to the victims, mostly teenagers and people in their 20s, and his wishes for a speedy recovery to the many injured.

“This is truly tragic,” he said in a statement. “A tragedy and disaster that should not have happened took place in the heart of Seoul last night.”

At least 151 people were reportedly killed and 82 others injured in the deadly stampede in the district while celebrating Halloween.

A mass of mostly young people celebrating Halloween festivities became trapped and crushed as the crowd surged into a narrow alley.

Two of the dead victims were foreigners.

It was estimated that as many as 100,000 people, mostly teenagers and those in their twenties, went to celebrate Halloween on Saturday night, clogging the area’s narrow alleyways and winding streets.

In his condolence message to his South Korean counterpart, President Buhari sent prayers and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He also wished speedy healing and comfort to the entire nation as it grieved the heart-breaking loss of its loved ones.

In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari said, “Nigeria stands with the people of Korea at this difficult and trying moment.’’