Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains respond after deadly stampede in Seoul, South Korea

BG-RRT Press Kit

Chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) have responded to Seoul, South Korea, after more than 150 people were killed in a stampede during Halloween festivities Saturday night. This is one of the deadliest accidents in South Korea’s recent history.

“This is such a horrible tragedy. It is truly tragic. Our hearts are heavy to hear about what happened in Seoul, South Korea,” said Josh Holland, international director of the BG-RRT. “We are sending our crisis-trained chaplains to comfort, pray with and share God’s love with those who have been impacted by this horrific disaster.”

The chaplains, who arrived hours after the incident, described a somber silence in what is normally one of the most colorful and vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Hundreds have gathered in the streets, quietly weeping, laying flowers to remember their loved ones who were killed. Chaplains are praying with and offering compassion to those grieving in this community that’s been shaken by the sudden and unexpected loss of so many lives.

BG-RRT chaplains are now serving in five locations. Besides Seoul, South Korea, chaplains are serving in three areas of Florida after Hurricane Ian battered the southwest coast of the state. They are also serving in Ukraine, offering hope and providing emotional comfort and spiritual care to families who have been forced to flee their homes.

For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit the BG-RRT press kit or BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.

For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit the BG-RRT press kit or BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.

About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team:

Media Opportunities
  • Josh Holland, international director for the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, will be available for interviews.For B-Roll, photos and media inquiries, please contact Christine Batchelder at cbatchelder@bgea.org, (704) 724-6851.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into an international network of chaplains in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia who are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to more than 680 disaster sites across the globe, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes.

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Media Contact:
Christine Batchelder
cbatchelder@bgea.org

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