At least 146 people were killed and 150 more were injured as they were crushed by a large crowd during a Halloween celebration, AP reported.

Seoul fire chief Choi Sung-bom said the death toll could rise as rescuers continue to take the injured to hospitals across Seoul after a crush at the Itaewon entertainment district Saturday night. He said 13 of the dead have been sent to hospitals, while the bodies of the remaining 46 are still on the streets.

Officials said it was believed that people were crushed to death after a large crowd began moving forward in a narrow alley near the Hamilton Hotel, Seoul's main party venue.

Police, who have restricted traffic in nearby areas to speed the transport of the wounded to hospitals across the city, also confirmed that dozens of people were given CPR on the streets of Itaewon. The Seoul Metropolitan Government sent out emergency text messages urging people in the area to return home as soon as possible.

Some local media previously reported that the crush occurred after a large number of people rushed into the Itaewon bar after hearing that a celebrity had been there.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a statement urging officials to ensure the quick treatment of the injured and to check the safety of the holiday venues. He also instructed the Ministry of Health to quickly deploy disaster medical teams and provide beds at a nearby hospital to treat the injured.

Local media reported that about 100,000 people gathered on the streets of Itaewon for the Halloween celebration, which was the largest since the pandemic began after COVID-19 restrictions were loosened.