The Seoul stampede has claimed 154 lives.
Actor and K-Pop singer Lee Ji-han, 24, has been confirmed among the dead following Saturday’s Halloween crowd surge incident in Seoul.
On 29 October, tens of thousands of people flooded the streets in Itaewon district – a popular location in Seoul known for its nightlife – to celebrate Halloween, but as crowds surged onto a narrow downhill alleyway a stampede took place, resulting in 154 deaths.
At least another 132 people are reported to be injured, including 37 in serious condition, with fears that the death toll could still increase.
Amongst the chaos, Ji-han, who made his acting debut in the web drama The Butterfly Dream, was killed.
His death has been confirmed in a social media post by his management.
Former "Produce 101 Season 2" Contestant #LeeJiHan Confirmed To Have Passed Away In Itaewonhttps://t.co/omJ1CHLcrj pic.twitter.com/PtiNY2PbQb
— Soompi (@soompi) October 30, 2022
Ji-han rose to prominence after appearing on season two of Produce 101, a reality talent competition to find the next K-Pop group.
935 Entertainment and 9Ato Entertainment – the two agencies representing Ji-han – announced the star’s passing in a statement on Twitter.
It read: “It is heartbreaking to greet you with sad news. Actor Lee Ji-han, a precious family member of 935 Entertainment and 9Ato Entertainment, has become a star in the sky and has left us.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who are deeply saddened by the sudden loss and to all those who love, cherish, and grieve together with actor Lee Ji-han.”
935엔터테인먼트&9아토엔터테인먼트 입니다. pic.twitter.com/3Qgmu69hXo
— 935Entertainment (@935ent) October 30, 2022
The post continued: “Actor Lee Ji-han was a friendly and warm friend to everyone. The infinitely bright and innocent actor Lee Ji-han, always smiled brightly.
“It is hard to believe that we will no longer be able to see him.
“Please send a warm farewell to Lee Ji-han, who left us too soon. We, 935 Entertainment and 9Ato Entertainment, will remember for a long time the image of actor Lee Ji-han, who shined beautifully with his passion for acting.
“Once again, we send our deepest condolences to the deceased on his last journey.”
Fans of the singer and actor have since been paying tribute to him on social media.
One reads: “My condolences to his loved ones. I can’t imagine the pain they are going through.”
“Rest in peace Lee Ji Han, such a young talented life lost,” another commented.
A third wrote: “May he rest in peace. My heart aches for all the victims and their families.”
South Korea has gone into a period of mourning until 5 November and all K-Pop concerts have been cancelled as a sign of respect.
The Halloween disaster is the worst the country has seen since 2014, when the Sewol ferry sank, killing more than 300 people.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has promised a thorough investigation into what caused the incident and to make institutional changes so that such an accident is not repeated.
Those killed or hurt were mostly teenagers and people in their twenties, according to Choi Seong-beom, chief of Seoul‘s Yongsan fire department.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
