STAMPEDE AT PARK

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28951, 20 July 1959, Page 11

STAMPEDE AT PARK

62 Crushed To Death

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 8 pm.) SEOUL, July 18. A sudden rainstorm at the Pusan Stadium last night sent a crowd of 40,000 spectators stampeding for shelter. As a result, 62 persons died and five others are in hospital in a coma. It was a night of terror for the spectators at the stadium, who earlier had been laughing at some of Korea's leading comedians at an open air show. An hour later, police counted the bodies of 26 women and 22 children who had been trampled to death as the spectators rushed for the only gate to the stadium. Many bodies were unrecognisable. The gate had been closed by the authorities earlier in ‘the evening to prevent further entry into the stadium, which was already dangerously overcrowded. In the rush for shelter, spectators crashed into the iron gate. Many were trampled underfoot and as panic seized the mob, the stampede became worse. Other spectators fell underfoot. Police fired into the air in an attempt to keep order, but many people apparently mistook the firing as being directed into the crowd and the panic increased. Many spectators died on the way to hospital. About 130 persons were treated for injuries at the hospital. Others were still reported to be in a serious condition During the disaster, guards from an aliens camp nearby were sent to the stadium to assist the police. Japanese fishermen detained at the camp escaped while the guards were away, but they were all recaptured later. The comedy show, sponsored by “Kuje Sumpo,” the largest daily newspaper in Pusan, featured three lop Korean comedians. Fatty, Skinny and Fly Boy and many singers. In spite of storm warnings, thousands of Pusan citizens turned out for the show.