'I was trapped on ledge, watching people die' Survivors of South Korea Halloween crush speak of their horror at seeing friends and strangers suffocate
By Jean MackenzieSurvivors of the deadly Seoul Halloween crush have been speaking of their horror at watching friends and strangers suffocate in an alleyway as dance music blared into the night."People began pushing from behind, it was like a wave - there was nothing you could do," Nuhyil Ahammed told the BBC.The 32-year-old, who spoke to the BBC on Sunday afternoon, said he was caught in the crush and there was nothing anyone could have done to save others or themselves.
An estimated 100,000 people came to celebrate there on Saturday. For the first time since Covid, gathering sizes were not limited and people did not need to wear masks outside. President Yoon Suk-yeol has called for an investigation into the cause of the crush and declared a period of national mourning.
He said he fell but managed to make his way to steps along the side of the alley: "A women with angel's wings - she beckoned me and I managed to climb onto a high step," he said.