Australian among people killed in Halloween crush in South Korea

An Australian is among the more than 150 people who have died in the South Korean capital after a crowd crush during Halloween celebrations.

The disaster happened as a huge crowd celebrating Halloween on Saturday night surged into an alley in an area of the city popular with young people, expatriates and travellers.

Choi Sung-beom, head of the Yongsan fire station, said many of the victims were women in their 20s, according to Reuters.

Up to 19 foreigners were among the dead, including citizens of China, Iran, Uzbekistan and Norway.

It was the first Halloween event in Seoul in three years after the country lifted Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing.

Many of the partygoers were wearing masks and Halloween costumes.

The South Korean president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has declared a period of national mourning.