The mass-casualty incident prompted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to order his government to provide disaster medical emergency assistance, according to the BBC,New York Times, and CNN.

“The top priority is to evacuate and save the victims. We should take them tourgent medical treatment as quickly as possible,” the president said to his cabinet, perNYT.

Lee Jin-man/AP/Shutterstock

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lee Jin-man/AP/Shutterstock (13554017j) Rescue workers wait to carry victims on the street near the scene in Seoul, South Korea, . Scores of people were killed and others were injured as they were crushed by a large crowd pushing forward on a narrow street during Halloween festivities in the capital, South Korean officials said Halloween Crowd Surge, Seoul, South Korea - 29 Oct 2022

According to the BBC, the popular nightlife spot was reportedlyswarmed with 100,000 residentsto join the Halloween festivities, which was the first Halloween event that required no mask since the pandemic.

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Officials later responded to the area after receiving reports of people experiencing"difficulty breathing,“CNN reported.

ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty

Rescue officials and police gather in the district of Itaewon in Seoul on October 30, 2022, after a Halloween crush which left at least 120 people dead. - At least 120 people were killed on October 29 and some 100 were injured in a stampede in central Seoul when thousands crowded into narrow streets to celebrate Halloween, officials said. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

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More than 400 emergency personnel with 140 vehicles from around the country were dispatched to assist with the situation, CBS News reported. Per the outlet, the Seoul Metropolitan Governmentalerted people via emergency text messagesto encourage people in the area to return home immediately.

Representatives from Yongsan Fire Department did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com