Sri Lankan among victims in Seoul Halloween tragedy

A young Sri Lankan is among over 151 people killed and dozens of others were injured during Saturday night’s horrific stampede in South Korea, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended his deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, especially the families of the deceased, and he wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Sri Lankan is said to be a resident of Kandy and he has been identified as Mohamed Jinath, a 27-year-old resident of Udathalawinna in Kandy.

According to foreign media, 19 foreign nationals were among the dead and the victims were from Iran, Norway, China and Uzbekistan.

The stampede took place in the nightlife district of Itaewon. What caused the stampede is not clear, nevertheless, witnesses say partygoers were seen packed in the district’s narrow streets and they found it difficult to move around.