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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

K Pop singer and actor Lee Jihan dies at 24 in Seoul Halloween stampede

K Pop singer and actor Lee Jihan has died at the age of 24 following a crowd crush in Itaewon, Seoul in South Korea.

Lee, who first found fame on the second series of Korean reality show Produce 101, was confirmed to have been amongst the 154 people who died in the tragedy.

Acting agencies 935 Entertainment and 9ato Entertainment confirmed Lee's death.

"It’s true that Lee Ji-han passed away due to the accident in Itaewon on October 29," the agencies said in a statement shared by XSportsNews.

The statement added: "We also hoped that it wasn’t true, and we were very shocked to hear the news. The family is suffering immense grief right now, so we are being very cautious. May he rest in peace."

His funeral will be held on Tuesday November 1, according to local reports.

Around an estimated 100,000 people had gathered in Seoul's nightlife district to celebrate Halloween when the fatal crush took place.

154 people have died while at least 132 other people were reported to be injured, with 37 of those in a serious condition.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has since vowed a "thorough investigation" will take place to look into the cause of the tragedy.

He promised to make "make necessary institutional changes so that such an accident is not repeated".

Meanwhile, the president of South Korea Yoon Suk-yeol declared a national period of mourning, which is set to last until Sunday November 5.

Lee Jihan rose to fame as a contestant on the second season of Korean reality talent programme Produce 101.

In the show, hopefuls compete to be apart of an 11-piece band. Jihan made it until the fifth episode before he was eliminated.

He then made his acting debut in 2019 as he took part in the web series Today Was Another Nam Hyun Day.

The actor was due to star in the forthcoming season of the drama Season of Kkokdu before his death.

935 Entertainment posted a tribute to him, which read: "Please send a warm farewell to [Lee], who left us too soon.

"We will remember Lee, who shone beautifully with his passion for acting."

More tributes poured in on social media as the actor's Produce 101 Season 2 pals Park Hee-seok and Kim Do-hyun said, according to a local report: "Jihan left this place and went to a comfortable place. Please say hello to Jihan on his last journey."

Kim Do-hyun added: "I pray for the rest of the people who left too early due to the Itaewon disaster. I can't even dare to fathom the hearts of the bereaved family members left behind, but I express my deepest condolences."

While a fan wrote: "I just found out that Lee Jihan passed away in the Itaewon tragedy. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends".

Several K-pop music releases and events have been cancelled or postponed due to the tragedy, Billboard have reported.

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