Two American students were killed in the South Korean stampede during Saturday night Halloween celebrations.
A massive human stampede took place in central Seoul, South Korea, as tens of thousands of people gathered in the narrow streets in the nightlife area of the capital on Saturday night to celebrate Halloween after years of Covid restrictions.
As the night progressed, the crowd allegedly grew in size and became unruly before going into a full-on stampede mode after some people on the sloped part of the street fell and slammed into those below, sending dozens of partygoers tumbling.
According to the reports, at least 153 people died and an additional 82 or more suffered some injuries after partygoers attempted to flee the packed streets.
Among the deceased victims were also two American students, both just 20 years old, who have since been identified by their families.
One of the American victims was 20-year-old nursing student Anne Gieske who attended the University of Kentucky and was taking part in her school’s international study program at the time of her visit to South Korea.
The other victim was identified as 20-year-old Steve Blesi, a Kennesaw State University junior and an aspiring businessman who was studying abroad.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken over the loss of Anne Marie. She was a bright light loved by all,” Anne’s parents, Madonna and Dan, said in a statement.
Steven Blesi, Steve’s father, tweeted: “Thank you for the outpouring of love. We need time to grieve.”
In an interview with The New York Times, the grieving father opened up about his son’s death and revealed it left him “numb” and “devastated.”
“It was like it stabbed like a hundred million times simultaneously. It was like your world just collapsing. It was numb and devastating all at the same time,” he said.
“I texted him maybe a half-hour before all this happened, and I said, ‘I know you’re out and about. Be safe.’ I never got a reply to that.”
As Blesi explained, his son was aspiring to become a businessman in southeast Asia after graduating from his international study program.
“Kennesaw State University officials were deeply saddened to learn that KSU student Steven Blesi was among the more than 150 people tragically killed in this weekend’s Halloween incident in Seoul, South Korea,” KSU confirmed in a statement.
Kathy Schwaig, the school’s president, added: “On behalf of the entire Kennesaw State community, our thoughts and prayers go out to Steven’s family and friends as they mourn this incomprehensible loss. We have been in contact with Steven’s family and have offered all available resources of the University to them.”
Meanwhile, Anne’s school paid a tribute to the bright nursing student and offered support to her family.
“We have been in contact with Anne’s family and will provide whatever support we can now and in the days ahead as they cope with this indescribable loss,” University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto said.
“We will be there for those in our community who knew and loved Anne. We also have nearly 80 students from South Korea at UK, members of our community, who will need our support.”
Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of the stampede.
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