University of Kentucky student Anne Gieske and Kennesaw State University student Steven Blesi were both killed, their schools said in statements Sunday.

Two American college students were among more than 150 people killed when a large Halloween party crowd burst into a narrow alley in a nightlife district in Seoul, South Korea, their universities said.


University of Kentucky student Anne Gieske and Kennesaw State University student Steven Blesi were killed, their schools said in statements Sunday.

Gieske was a junior nursing student, University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto said in a letter to the community. Gieske was from northern Kentucky and had been studying in South Korea for the semester, Capilouto said.


Two other UK students and a faculty member who are in South Korea are safe, Capilouto said.

Gieske was a member of the UK Korean Language and Culture Club. The organization told WKYT in a statement that Gieske “was a very kind and outgoing person. We are all sorry to hear of her loss and hope she rests in peace.”

Blesi majored in international business at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, and was one of 11 students to study in South Korea as part of a study abroad program, the school said. All other students have been reported safe.


Blesi’s father told The New York Times that his son had recently finished midterms and was out celebrating on Saturday night.

“I texted him maybe half an hour before this all happened, and I said, ‘I know you’re out of the house. Take care of yourself,’” Blesi’s father, Steve, told the Times. “I never got an answer to that.”

The surge in crowds is one of South Korea’s worst disasters in years. As of Sunday night, authorities put the death toll at 153 and the number of injured at 133. The Ministry of the Interior and Security said the death toll could rise further as 37 of the injured are found. in serious condition.

Ninety-seven of the dead were women and 56 men. More than 80% of the dead are between 20 and 30 years old, but at least four were teenagers.

At least 20 of the dead are foreigners from China, Russia, Iran and elsewhere.

President Biden tweeted that he and First Lady Jill Biden are “devastated to learn that at least two Americans are among the many who lost their lives in Seoul. Our hearts go out to their loved ones in this time of grief, and we continue to pray.” .for the recovery of all the wounded.”

Source: https://wikisoon.com/