3 . Seoul, South Korea — Most weekends, the narrow alleys of Itaewon, the neon-lit nightlife district in South Korea’s capital Seoul, are busy with partygoers and tourists. Now it’s the site of one of the country’s worst disasters.

At least 151 were killed in the crush, with dozens more injured. Authorities have now launched an urgent investigation to find out how what was supposed to be a night of celebration went so horribly wrong, as families across the country mourn and search for missing loved ones.

Here’s what we know so far.

Itaewon has long been a popular place to celebrate Halloween, especially as the holiday became more popular in Asia in recent years. Some even fly into Seoul from other countries in the region for the festivities.

But for the past two years, celebrations were softened by pandemic restrictions (防疫限制措施) on crowd sizes and mask orders.

Saturday night marked the first Halloween since the country lifted these restrictions – lending it particular significance for many eager young people in Seoul, as well as international visitors including foreign residents and tourists.

Hotels and ticketed events in the neighborhood had been booked solid in advance, and large crowds were expected.

Witnesses told that there was very little — if any — crowd control before the mass of people turned deadly.

Videos and photos posted to social media show people crammed together, standing shoulder to shoulder in the narrow street.

After the first emergency calls came in around 10:24 p.m., authorities rushed to the scene — but the large crowd of people made it difficult to reach those who needed help.

The thousands of people in Halloween costumes contributed to the widespread sense of confusion and disorder. One witness described seeing a police officer shouting during the disaster — but some celebrators mistook him for another partygoer.

The cause of the crush is still under investigation, though officials said there were no gas leaks or fires on site.

1. What do we know about the deadly Halloween disaster in Seoul?

A．Rescue and first aid were provided by authorities immediately.

B．As much as 151 were killed, most of whom were foreign residents and tourists.

C．For the past two years, public events have been banned to ensure people safety at Itaewon.

D．Celebrating Halloween is not unusual for Itaewon.

2. Why were the crowds so big on this Saturday night?

A．Because tens of thousands of people flooded into the area to celebrate Halloween.

B．Because there were not any officials trying to limit the number of people entering the area.

C．Because the official was not monitoring crowd amount in real time.

D．Because the country lifted pandemic restrictions.

3. What does the underlined word “ solid ” in paragraph 7 mean?

A．completely hard, not soft	B．without any spaces
C．not liquid or gas	D．certain or safe

4. What was the official response?

A．They had sent a large number of police and security forces to this part of Seoul.

B．They still didn’t know how the traditional Halloween celebrations turned into a disaster.

C．They had called an emergency meeting.

D．They had identified the dead.

5 . Chase Poust is a 7-year-old boy. He and his dad Steven, and his 4-year-old sister, Abigail were out for a family boating trip on Florida’s St. Johns River near Mandarin Point. Chase and Abigail were swimming at the back end of the anchored boat while Steven was on deck (甲板) fishing.

It was an idyllic (悠闲的) outing — until a strong wave came. It was too strong for Abigail to hold onto the boat. Instantly realizing his sister would be swept away, Chase let go of the boat as well to try and reach her.

Steven jumped into the water but after realizing he couldn’t keep up with both kids, he was faced with a hard decision. “I told them I loved them because I wasn’t sure what’s going to happen,” Steven told News-4 JAX. “I tried to stick with both of them. I wore myself out. She drifted away from me.”

Directing Chase to swim to shore for help, Steven stayed behind, keeping as close as he could to Abigail as the life-vest that was keeping her above the waves floated further and further from his reach.

It was a tough go for the 7-year-old, but rather than attempting to swim all out, Chase wisely paced himself. Stopping to float or dog paddle when he was tired, he’d rest and then set off again. It took Chase an hour to reach the shore. Once on solid ground, he ran to the nearest house and called for help.

Rescuers arrived soon to search for Steven and Abigail. Miraculously, the two were found and rescued about an hour later-more than a mile away from the family’s abandoned boat.

1. What happened during the family boating trip?

A．Chase went out fishing alone.	B．The boat ran into an anchored boat.
C．Steven fell off the boat by accident.	D．Abigail was washed away by a wave.

2. Why was Steven faced with a hard decision?

A．He couldn’t stick with both kids.	B．He didn’t know how to swim.
C．He couldn’t find rescuers nearby.	D．He wasn’t sure what might happen.

3. What did Steven ask Chase to do after the accident?

A．To hold Abigail tightly.	B．To look for helpers.
C．To wait calmly in the water.	D．To give the life-vest to Abigail.

4. Which of the following best describes Chase?

A．Brave and clever.	B．Innocent and kind.
C．Proud and patient.	D．Honest and helpful.