South Korea announced a period of national mourning
after at least 151 people died in a Halloween crush. President Yoon
Suk-yeol made the announced in a televised address. “This is truly tragic. A
tragedy and disaster that should not have happened took place in the heart of
Seoul last night,” the president send and ordered a thorough inquiry into the
cause of the accident.

The declaration of national mourning in South Korea will
entail the following:

1.      Flags
in public offices will fly at half mast

2.      A
mourning alter will be set up in downtown Seoul

3.      All
public servants will be required to wear mourning ribbons

4.      Recovery
and follow-up measures of the Seoul tragedy will take top priority

South Korea will mark a period of national mourning
from Sunday, October 30 to Saturday, November 5.

Also Read | South Korea declares period of national mourning after Seoul tragedy

“The most important thing is to determine the cause of
the accident and prevent similar accidents. We will thoroughly investigate the
cause of the accident and make fundamental improvements so that similar
accidents to not happen again in the future,” the South Korean President said.

Yoon Suk-yeol visited the site of the incident on
Sunday. Latest reports say 19 of the 151 dead in the accident were foreign
nationals.

Also Read | World leaders send solidarity to South Korea after Halloween crush kills 150

Leaders from around the world have sent condolences to
South Korea. “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost
loved ones in Seoul. We grieve with the people of the Republic of Korea and wish
for a quick recovery to all those who were injured. The United States stands
with the Republic of Korea during this tragic time,” tweeted United States
President Joe Biden.

Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, wrote: “On
behalf of Canadians, I’m sending my deepest condolences to the people of South
Korea today, following a deadly stampede in Seoul. I’m thinking of everyone
affected by this tragedy, and wishing a fast and full recovery to those who
were injured.”