HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?

AFTER MANY AUSSIES WERE CAUGHT UP IN A CRUSH THAT KILLED 150, WITNESSES SHARE THEIR STORIES

Halloween is a playful, colourful and uplifting way to kick off the festive season. The people of Seoul in South Korea, like Australians, have embraced the now-Americanised holiday. But on October 29, in the nightlife district of Itaewon, a once-vibrant and happy street turned to chaos and tragedy when more than 150 revellers were killed, and hundreds more injured, in a devastating "stampede".

Australian Nathan Taverniti was holidaying in the Asian city with friends when he was caught up in the tragedy. He watched on helplessly as one of his Aussie friends was killed and others injured. Production assistant Grace Rached was just days shy of her 24th birthday when she lost her life in the "agonising crush".