South Korea, Seoul officials admit responsibility in crushing Halloween street party that killed 150

South Korean officials on Tuesday admitted responsibility and apologized for failing to prevent and respond to a massive Halloween street party in which people were trampled and crushed – killing over 150.

The incident occurred Saturday night in Seoul’s Itaewon district, a popular nightlife neighborhood, according to the Associated Press. 

National police chief Yoon Hee Keun said an initial investigation shows many urgent calls from people notifying authorities about the potential danger of such a large crowd and that police officers failed to handle the calls effectively.

"I feel a heavy responsibility (for the disaster) as the head of one of the related government offices," Yoon said in a televised news conference, the wire service also reports. 

He also said police have begun a more thorough internal investigation into the officers' handling of the emergency calls and other matters including crowd control efforts.

In addition, top South Korea officials including the country's interior minister and emergency office chief and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon offered public apologies.

The incident, which also resulted in injuries to151 others, reportedly occurred largely in a narrow downhill alley.

Witnesses said first-responders were slow to reach the crammed alleys because the neighborhood was filled with slow-moving vehicles and partygoers in Halloween costumes.

Most of those killed were in their 20s and 30s, and about two-thirds were women, also according to the wire service.