Halloween events, K-pop shows cancelled amid mourning for victims of Itaewon stampede

SEOUL: Most Halloween festivals, events and parades, as well as shows by K-pop stars have been cancelled, Yonhap news agency quoted their organisers and the government Sunday, as the country mourns the deaths of at least 153 people in an overnight stampede.

At least 103 others were injured after being crushed in a narrow downhill alley in the famous nightlife district of Itaewon in Seoul on Saturday after tens of thousands of people visited the area for Halloween.

The government has designated a national mourning period starting Sunday through Saturday and also ordered flags at government buildings and public offices to fly at half-mast.

Global superstar BTS' agency Big Hit announced it will postpone all activities scheduled for Jin's solo debut single "The Astronaut," with the British rock band Coldplay.

SM Entertainment, which manages artists such as Girls' Generation, EXO, Super Junior, NCT and aespa, announced its Halloween event scheduled for later in the day has been cancelled.

Luxury fashion brand Gucci also said it will cancel a fashion show scheduled to be held at a royal place in Seoul on Tuesday.

The ward office of Jongro in central Seoul said it has cancelled or postponed various events and festivals scheduled for the rest of the week.

Busan OneAsia Festival -- scheduled for later Sunday in the southern city of Busan -- has also been cancelled. The event was to invite a number of K-pop stars and was expected to bring in nearly 40,000 spectators.

Lego-themed amusement park Legoland, located in Chuncheon, 75 kilometres east of Seoul, said it has also cancelled its Halloween festival.

Most stores across the country also cancelled Halloween events and removed decorations and posters promoting the events.

-- BERNAMA