Blesi, a global enterprise main, was one in every of 11 reported KSU college students on the research overseas journey to South Korea. The different 10 college students are protected, the varsity mentioned.
KENNESAW, Ga. — A student at Kennesaw State University was amongst one of many greater than 150 individuals killed in a lethal Halloween crowd surge in Seoul, South Korea, the varsity introduced Sunday.
Steven Blesi was one of many 153 reported victims killed within the crush, in line with college officers.
Blesi, a 20-year-old worldwide enterprise main, was one in every of 11 reported KSU college students on the research overseas journey to South Korea. The different 10 college students are protected, the varsity mentioned.
His dad, Steve Blesi, posted to Twitter on Saturday saying that he was “in the area of stampede in Seoul” they usually had nonetheless not heard from him. On Sunday, his household obtained affirmation of his demise.
“He was an incredible young man, our hearts are broken. How can this happen?” his dad tweeted shortly after.
Steven leaves behind a brother, Joey, who Steve mentioned by way of Twitter he was selecting up from school on Sunday.
“We have to be strong for our other son who I will pick up at college today. Somehow we have to press on, but our lives have forever changed.”
Steve described how he saved calling his son’s cellphone after listening to the devastating news out of Seoul, and finally a police officer answered Steven’s cellphone to ship news no mum or dad ought to ever hear: Steven’s physique was one in every of greater than 150 discovered lifeless.
Steve mentioned that he and his household talked to Steven’s buddies after the crush and found that their son was making an attempt to decide on whether or not to remain within the mass of individuals when different individuals have been leaving, in line with a report.
Steven wasn’t the one American life misplaced within the crush. Anne Gieske, a nursing student from northern Kentucky and enrolled on the University of Kentucky, died within the crowd surge, President Eli Capilouto mentioned in a press release. She was learning overseas in an schooling program, in line with college officers.
Kennesaw State launched a press release Sunday on the tragic demise of Steven on each Twitter and Facebook.
“On behalf of the entire Kennesaw State community, our thoughts and prayers go out to Steven’s family and friends as they mourn this incomprehensible loss,” Kennesaw State University President Kathy Schwaig mentioned. “We have been in contact with Steven’s family and have offered all available resources of the University to them.”
The devastating crush occurred when an enormous Halloween social gathering, consisting of largely younger adults, surged right into a slender alley in a nightlife district in Seoul.
It nonetheless stays unclear what led to the gang surge into the downhill alley, investigators mentioned. Witnesses mentioned individuals fell on one another “like dominoes,” and a few victims have been bleeding from their noses and mouths whereas being given CPR.
The college acknowledged they’ve made counseling help obtainable to college students who who’ve been impacted by the tragic occasion.
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