BERLIN, October 30. /TASS/. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed condolences in connection with the stampede in downtown Seoul that killed 151 people, according to the DPA news agency.

"Deeply shocked by the tragic events in Seoul," the agency quoted Scholz as saying on Sunday, "Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. Germany stands with South Korea on this sad day."

The stampede began around 10:20 p.m. local time (4:20 p.m. Moscow time) on Saturday in one of the jam-packed narrow streets. It happened in the Itaewon district, which is known as one of Seoul's nightlife centers. Tens of thousands of young people went to the area on Saturday to celebrate Halloween as this year was the first time in three years that the pandemic-related restrictions had been lifted.