Tributes pour in for Seoul stampede victims

Health support

A total of 137 police officers were deployed in Itaewon for Halloween festivities.

In contrast, at rallies staged by labor unions and supporters of President Yoon, which drew tens of thousands in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, on Saturday, up to 4,000 police were deployed, according to Reuters.

The South Korean authorities are working to provide mental health support for those who may have experienced psychological trauma as a result of the stampede.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said bereaved families, those injured in the disaster, and others affected by it will be entitled to government-organized mental treatment programs.

The Korean Neuro Psychiatric Association, or KNPA, said in a statement that people should stop spreading videos and pictures of the accident scene.

"We recommended that they refrain from watching excessively and repeatedly videos or news reports about the accident, because this can have a negative impact on their health," the KNPA said.

"There is a need for restraint in hate speech," it added, noting that spreading unconfirmed facts can damage the reputation of the victims and cause social conflict.

The Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies said people should refrain from leveling criticism, as this will leave a deeper trauma in the minds of the survivors and bereaved families.

"Please understand the great pain that the survivors and the bereaved families are undergoing, both physically and mentally," the society said.

Social media and online portal operators asked users to refrain from uploading content that may reveal the victims' identities, or to share unconfirmed information.