The death toll from a stampede at a Halloween festival in South Korea’s capital Seoul has risen to 151. The country’s authorities said that this number may increase. 82 people are injured in this incident.
Not only Seoul has witnessed the horrific stampede, but the entire world has witnessed several horrific stampede incidents in the past decade.
Stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia
In the last week of September 2015, at least 717 Hajj pilgrims died in a stampede during the Holy Hajj in Mina, Saudi Arabia. Many were injured then.
At that time, the US news agency reported the death of 2,110 people. However, Saudi authorities acknowledged the death toll at 925. However, Riyad did not say how many were injured.
At that time, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef ordered an investigation into the incident.
Saudi Arabia’s directorate of Civil Defense said the accident occurred on the way to pelting stones at Mina’s Great Jamara (in which pilgrims throw seven stones at a wall representing Satan) during the last stage of Hajj. 719 pilgrims were killed in the stampede.
A civil defense spokesman said the injured were taken to four hospitals in the Mina region. As many as 4,000 personnel participated in the rescue operation. 220 ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
It was learned that the stampede occured due to intense heat and the rush of Hajj pilgrims.
The stampede occured at the entrance area of Jamarat Bridge near road number 204. This accident did not happen at the place of stone pelting aimed at Satan.
At that time, the head of the Central Hajj Committee, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, was quoted by the state-owned Al Arabiya TV channel as saying that “some African nationals” were responsible for the accident.
Noted that in 2015, about two million Muslims performed Hajj.
Earlier, in 1990, 1,426 pilgrims died in a stampede in Mecca while performing Hajj. In 1998, 180 people were trampled to death while throwing stones at Mina (Great Jamara). In 2001, 35 people died in a stampede in Mina. In 2006, more than 360 Hajj pilgrims died in stone-pelting accidents at Mina.
Indonesia Stadium Stampede
Agitated spectators enter the field in late September 2022 following a defeat at a football match in Indonesia. 174 people were trampled to death when the police threw tear shells to bring the situation under control. More than 180 people were injured in that incident. However, the country’s government has claimed the death of 133 people.
“Agitated spectators entered the field from the gallery after local Arema Football Club lost against arch-rivals Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java province,” local police officials said.
34 people died on the spot after being trampled and suffocated as the panicked crowd rushed out of the stadium after police fired tear shells at them. And the rest died on the way to the hospital.
East Java police chief Nico Afinta said the entire area was in chaos. Agitated spectators were attacking police officers, smashing cars. About 3,000 people left the gallery and entered the field.
Madhya Pradesh Festival Stampede
In October 2013, 115 people were killed in a stampede at a Hindu festival in Madhya Pradesh, India.
BBC reported that the stampede occured when panic spread on the bridge near the Ratangarh Mata Temple in Madhya Pradesh. At that time, many people died by jumping from the bridge and drowning in the river.
Local authorities said the stampede occurred as people scrambled for their lives after hearing rumors that “the bridge was about to collapse”. Thousands of people gathered there for Navaratri Festival.
Citing Datia district senior police officer DK Aria, AFP reported that 115 people had died in the stampede and 110 people were injured in this incident.
Stampede at a Festival in Ivory Coast
In the first week of January 2013, at least 61 people were killed in a stampede in Abidjan while celebrating the Christian New Year. Besides, the number of injured was around 1000.
In the first week of January 2013, at least 61 people were killed in a stampede in Abidjan while celebrating the Christian New Year; Photo: Collected
In the first week of January 2013, at least 61 people were killed in a stampede in Abidjan while celebrating the Christian New Year; Photo: Collected
Ivory Coast’s military chief of rescue operations, Lieutenant Colonel Issa Sako, said 60 people were initially confirmed dead. 200 people were injured. However, the news agency AFP reported that 61 people died and 48 were injured.
Issa Sako said that fireworks were organized at the main stadium of Abidjan city on the occasion of New Year. As many people joined it, chaos arose due to the overflowing crowd. At one point, so many people died in a stampede.