On Monday, President Sergio Mattarella sent his and Italy's condolences to South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol over the Halloween street crush in Seoul that killed 153 young people, including 22 foreigners.
"The whole of Italy learned with deep sadness of the incident in the Itaewon district of Seoul," said the Italian head of state.
"Particular dismay is aroused by the involvement in these dramatic events of so many young people, girls and boys united in a festive occasion.
"In interpreting the feelings of grief and deep sympathy of all the Italians, I convey to you, Mr President, and to the families of the numerous victims our most sincere condolences."
On Saturday October 29, an estimate of up to 100,000 people, most of who were in their teens and early twenties, spilled out onto Itaewon’s narrow, hilly streets to attend one of the first major post-covid public events being held in Seoul.
At around 10pm, mayhem began to ensue, on a steep sidestreet near Itaewon station, connected to various bars and clubs on the main road.
Crowds reportedly surged in all different directions, and event attendees began losing their footing on the slope, which then caused a domino effect of toppling bodies.
The people fell, then knocking others down, pinning one person on to another, and critically trapping them. Others attempted to scale the sides of the buildings to escape.
Among the confirmed casualties, one Australian has been identified.
