This was the first Halloween celebration since the pandemic
The Halloween tragedy in Seoul broke everyone's spirit. The mass death of more than 150 people due to cardiac arrest came as a shocker to everyone, especially those who had come out for the first time after two years to celebrate Halloween.
Number of people, as many as one lakh, had gathered in Itaewon to celebrate Halloween. In view of the festival outdoor COVID restrictions were eased.
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The mass comprised young people mostly
Though Halloween is not an official celebratory festival in South Korea, the craze for costume parties has risen since the past few years.
The Itaewon area is popular among teens and young adults for its trendy bars and restaurants and is the ultimate destination for young people because of its vibrant nightlife.
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating without any forewarning. It is a serious medical emergency and can be fatal within minutes.
What led to the horror in Seoul is being stemmed back to the congestion and overcrowding in the narrow alleys.
As per reports and as is visible in the videos, people are walking down the lane with hardly any breathable space between them. Congestion and overcrowding critically affects human lives as there is lack of air, improper circulation of air and chances of a stampede with even slight provocation.
What exactly happens in a cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood which is said to be due to arrhythmia. The blood flow stops to the brain and other major organs.
The person loses consciousness and becomes unresponsive during the cardiac arrest. It is a medical emergency and the person should be given CPR right away or else there is little chance to save the life.
It does not come with a warning. However, a person can experience breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness, palpitation, and will faint during a cardiac arrest.
What to do when you see someone having a cardiac arrest?
Since it is a critical condition, do not wait even for a moment and call for medical help. Meanwhile, give the person CPR.
CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the first aid for cardiac arrest. This gives fast and hard compressions to the chest in order to resume beating.
How to give CPR?
First of all, you need to be trained in CPR. Do not attempt this out of panic if you are not trained.
Lay the person on back and open the airway.
Check for breathing. If they are not breathing, start CPR.
Perform 30 chest compressions.
Perform two rescue breaths.
Repeat this until medical help arrives.
"People fell like dominoes"
Recollecting the horror, people have said that they saw others falling like dominoes. The sudden onset of cardiac arrest might have made it impossible for the huge crowd to disperse itself properly and make space for the victims.
"People were layered on top of others like a tomb. Some were gradually losing their consciousness while some looked dead by that point," reported news agency AFP quoting an eye witness.
19 foreigners were among those killed in the stampede, the fire department officials said. Of the dead, 97 were female and 54 were male, they added.
This is one of the worst disasters the country has seen. The official authorities have declared a national mourning period as they investigate how the celebration left over 151 people dead.
Heart diseases claim 18 million lives every year
As per the reports shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), heart diseases claim close to 18 million lives every year. The severity of the disease along with its burden is increasing at a rapid pace due to several factors including faulty lifestyle habits.
In order to ensure a good heart, please do regular checkups and follow a healthy lifestyle.