Seoul Halloween crush: 4 Chinese among more than 150 dead
- President Xi Jinping of China sends condolence message to South Korean counterpart over tragedy that also injured two Chinese nationals
- Chinese social media users react with sympathy and caution, but also some derision over Seoul’s close ties with the US
“On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, I would like to express our deep condolences to the victims and extend our sincere sympathy to their families and the injured,” Xi said in his note to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.
02:20
Seoul Halloween horror: over 150 people ‘crushed to death’ in crowd surge during festivities
Two other Chinese are among the injured, the country’s embassy in Seoul said while offering its condolences to the South Korean government.
“The embassy has expressed its condolences to the South Korean government over the accident and urged the government to find out the cause of the accident and properly handle matters in the aftermath of the death of Chinese citizens,” it said in a statement on Sunday.
Premier Li Keqiang has also expressed his condolences to the prime minister of South Korea, Han Duck-soo.
The Chinese foreign ministry, meanwhile, urged the embassy in Seoul to activate its emergency response mechanism, as both offices appealed to Chinese nationals to be mindful of personal safety and avoid large crowds.
“[Chinese citizens should] avoid crowded areas. Don’t blindly follow the crowd to participate in large gatherings,” the embassy statement said, urging people to also refrain from gathering in large groups to protect themselves against Covid-19.
