SOUTH KOREA – South Korea is still mourning the deaths of more than 150 people in a stampede at a Halloween party in Itaewon, Seoul. The majority of Itaewon’s bars and restaurants are closed. Large-scale government and private-sector events were also canceled. Even at Gwang-anli Beach in Busan, there is no fireworks display.

Pinoy Jhumar Tablatin, one of the party attendees, is still traumatized to this day. He witnessed the tragedy.

“Bali nasa kabilang alley lang naman kasi kami.Naawa ako don sa mga biktima. Sa eight years ko dito, ngayon lang nangyari ito. Sobrang dami kasi ng tao siguro dahil after na rin ng pandemic ngayon lang ulit nagkaroon ng holloween party,” sabi ni Jhumar.  

Even the OFW, Nel Gigante, was disturbed by what occurred because he had friends who attended what was supposed to be a fun gathering. Even now, he is afraid to attend gatherings.

“Malungkot kasi maraming buhay ang nasayang lalo mga kabataan. Nagkaroon lang ako ng kaunting trauma lalo sa mga sobrang siksikan at mataong lugar. Sobrang nakakatakot lalo kung ikaw malalagay sa mismong sitwasyon na ganun,” ani Nel.                

According to Nel and Jhumar, they learned something from the tragedy.

“Mas magiging maingat na lang next time. Doble ingat tapos iiwasan na lang yung mga crowded areas. Aattend pa rin naman siguro pero hindi na pupunta sa mga matataong lugar,” pahayag ni Jhumar.     

“A-attend pa rin ako pero safety first ika nga,” sabi ni Nel.  

In addition to the South Koreans, twenty-six foreigners were killed in the disaster. The South Korean government will provide assistance to bereaved families as well as burial expenses.