Envoys stand with Korea (Part 1)

Nuns pay tribute at the site of the Oct. 29 Halloween tragedy in Itaewon, Seoul, Monday, two days after the government-set national mourning period ended on Nov. 5. At least 156 were killed in the tragic crowd crush. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

The following are the condolence messages from heads of foreign missions in Korea to the victims of the Itaewon crowd disaster on Oct. 29 and their families. Their messages are arranged based on the order of their date of arrival in Korea. ― ED.

Ambassador of Mexico to Korea Bruno Figueroa

Mexican Ambassador to Korea Bruno Figueroa

What happened in an Itaewon alley on the night of Oct. 29 was truly horrific. As a father of teenagers and young adults who never miss the Halloween night, I feel the losses as mine. I convey my most sincere condolences and heartfelt solidarity to the families and friends of the victims and injured, as well as to the people of Korea.

This tragedy has touched deeply upon many lives, including two young Mexican students who barely survived. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you at this difficult time.

Russian Ambassador to Korea Andrey Kulik

I express my deep sorrow for the tragic death of a large number of people in Itaewon.I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured.

Ambassador of Croatia to Korea Damir Kusen

With profound sorrow, we send our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the grieving families, friends and dear ones of all those who lost their lives in the dreadful tragedy in Itaewon on Saturday night. We also send our best wishes of fast recovery to all who were injured in this tragic event.

The Croatian people stand strongly with all of you in this time of sadness and mourning, with open arms and friendship, as well as with our deep belief in the strength, courage and unity of the Korean people to remain united and strong in passing through this tragic period.

Argentine Ambassador to Korea Alfredo Bascou

On behalf of the Government of Argentina and the Argentine community in Korea, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Korean people on the tragic events in the Itaewon district last Saturday.

I feel close to those who lost friends and loved ones. At the same time, I wish a speedy recovery for those injured on the tragic evening.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung

Ambassador of Vietnam to Korea Nguyen Vu Tung

We were deeply saddened and heartbroken over the tragic incident in Itaewon. We would like to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families, the Korean people and the government over this tragic loss. We wish that the deceased will rest in peace and the injured will recover speedily.

We always stand with you in this difficult moment with the spirit of solidarity and friendship.

Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva Tor

Please accept the deepest condolences of the State of Israel and all its people on the terrible tragedy which has befallen Korea in Itaewon last week. We were stunned and heartbroken at the loss of life of so many young people.

We send our sincere condolences to the parents and the families of the victims and our prayers for a speedy recovery to the injured. May Korea never know such sadness again.

Ambassador of Nicaragua to Korea Rodrigo Coronel Kinloch

Ambassador of Nicaragua Rodrigo Coronel Kinloch

In times of despair and sadness is when we need a friend the most. A friend to seek comfort, to lend a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a hand to help us get up and be with us as we walk again.

I want you to know that myself and all the people of Nicaragua have been and will always be there for you. We share your sorrow for this inexplicable tragedy that has taken so many precious lives. As we mourn the losses together we will lend you a shoulder, an ear and a friendly hand. Nicaragua is with you and you are in our hearts and prayers.

Lastly, as we remember those who have left us too soon we are reminded that life is precious. It is a gift that we must treasure and thus we need to love with all our heart, laugh with all our might and live the life that makes us feel alive!

Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Catherine Raper

Australian Ambassador to Korea Catherine Raper

The Australian government sends its sincere condolences to all those affected by the tragedy in Itaewon on Oct. 29.

The Australian Embassy in Seoul confirms one Australian was amongst those killed. We are liaising closely with local authorities and our consular officials continue to provide assistance to the family of the individual who was killed. Consular officials are also assisting a small number of other Australians who were present and injured in the incident. Officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are providing consular assistance to the individual's family in Australia.

Our thoughts are with the family and others affected by this tragic incident.

Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Korea Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo

The Embassy of the Dominican Republic and its staff deeply regret and offer their sincere condolences to the Korean people. Our thoughts and prayers go to the many families of the young people who perished or were injured that night.

The Embassy of the Dominican Republic has no doubt that a country like Korea, which has overcome the sad legacy of colonialism and war, will yet again demonstrate its resilience to tensions like those arising from high population density, and to shocks such as this unfortunate tragedy.

Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega

The Philippine Embassy conveys profoundest condolences on the loss of lives and injury arising from the tragedy that took place in Itaewon on Oct. 29.

Itaewon is home to a vibrant community, including the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. We are deeply saddened by this turn of events. We offer our thoughts and prayers for those who lost loved ones and wish those injured a speedy recovery. We stand with the Republic of Korea and with the other countries who lost nationals during this difficult time.

Estonian Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede

Ambassador of Estonia to Korea Sten Schwede

I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in a crowd surge on Oct. 29 in Itaewon.

On behalf of the people of Estonia and my government I am extending our heartfelt sympathy to you and the people of South Korea.

My thoughts are with the families of those killed and I wish the many who were injured a swift and full recovery.

Ambassador of Qatar to Korea Khalid bin Ebrahim Al Hamar

We send our thoughts and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

We are thinking of everyone affected by this tragedy, and wishing a fast and full recovery to those who were injured.

The State of Qatar stands with the Republic of Korea at this difficult time.

Ambassador of Serbia to Korea Nemanja Grbic

Although there are no words that could ease the sadness and pain after such a great tragedy such as the one in Itaewon, I use this opportunity to send a message of support and solidarity of the Government of Serbia and its people to our Korean friends.

I express my sincere and profound condolences to the families of the victims, Korean and non-Korean ones, and I wish those who were injured a speedy and full recovery.

Let us join our efforts so that devastating and misfortunate events like this never happen again.

Ambassador of Portugal to Korea Susana Vaz Patto

On behalf of the Portuguese Government and the Portuguese people, I share in the mourning for the loss of so many young, promising lives from South Korea and other countries.

In Portugal, it is said that "saudade" (longing for/missing something or someone) is “the daughter of love” and “the company of those who are lonely.” My heart goes out to the souls of all those who were lost in Itaewon and to the eternal "saudade" felt by their loved ones.

My deepest thoughts are also with the many heroes and survivors of this tragedy, in the hopes that they make a full recovery.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko

Ambassador of Ukraine to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko

On behalf of the people of Ukraine, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy in Itaewon.

We grieve with the people of Korea and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.

Ambassador of Brazil to Korea Marcia Donner

This is a sad and very difficult moment for all of us in Seoul, whether Korean or foreign, thinking about all the loss of life, of those who left us in suffering and despair.

As a mother, upon hearing the news I could only think about all those parents that said goodbye to their children in the evening, out for a good moment of fun, and by the next morning received the news of their deaths.

I send my heartfelt solidarity and condolences to the families that lost cherished ones, while wishing and praying for the fast recovery of those injured in the crowd. Many Brazilians were in Itaewon that night, and my heart goes to them as well. I truly cannot imagine how difficult it has been to watch the events unfold.

Ambassador-designate of Norway to Korea Anne Kari Hansen Ovind

I am devastated and heartbroken by the Itaewon tragedy where so many young people lost their lives.

His Majesty the King of Norway has conveyed his condolences to the President of the Republic of Korea on behalf of the Norwegian people, and so has the Norwegian Prime Minister on behalf of our government.

I am grateful to Foreign Minister Park Jin for his kind words and support in relation to the Norwegian victim of this tragedy.

We are grieving together with the Korean people and stand with the Republic of Korea at this difficult time.

Ambassador of Turkey to Korea Murat Tamer

We are deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at Itaewon which caused many deaths and injuries.

On behalf of the Turkish Government and the people and also on my behalf, I would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of our Korean Blood Brothers who lost their lives, and offer our prayers for a speedy recovery to those who have suffered injuries.

Ambassador of Sudan to Korea Amira Agarib

On behalf of the government and the people of Sudan, I want to express our deep condolences to the Korean people after the tragic incident that occurred last Saturday in Itaewon.

I also join on behalf of the entire Sudanese community in Korea in the despair of Korean people at the sudden loss of young people.

I offer heartfelt condolences to their families and we send our thoughts and prayers to the bereaved families of the victims and wish those injured a speedy recovery.