– You knew there would be a lot of people, because everyone has told you to go to Itaewon on Halloween, says Sofie Ådén.
Sofie and her friends took the subway to the district, which is known for its entertainment. Already when they arrived at the station there were many people, but they still did not understand what was going on.
When the party saw the fire trucks, they thought they were there for emergency purposes.
– There were so many people on the street, so we just tried to get away from the big bar street where you come up, says Sofie Ådén.
“Then it felt uncomfortable”
– We didn’t get far before we saw people lying on the ground receiving CPR, says Sofie Ådén.
Then the party decided that they should get out of there. At the same time, the mobile network stopped working and Sofie became worried that she would lose her friends in the huge crowd.
– Then it felt uncomfortable.
She believes that it was difficult to understand the situation on site because the mood was mixed. While people ran away in terror, others continued to party on the street and in the clubs, Sofie testifies.
Called home to Umeå from the student accommodation
When Sofie took the subway home, she saw that the events had ended up on the news in Sweden.
– Then I started writing and calling home. I have to say that I am okay, she says.
While she first realized the extent of the disaster the following day, Sofie says that the people in Seoul are looking out for each other.
– In my student accommodation with 200 people, some have taken the initiative and went door to door to see that no one was missing, says Sofie Ådén.
In the clip, you hear Sofie talk about her experiences when she arrived at the place where the disaster occurred.