Georgia Student Killed In Seoul Halloween Crowd Surge

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — A Kennesaw State University student was one of two Americans killed in a crowd surge in Seoul, South Korea during a Halloween celebration.

NBC News reported two American students, Anne Gieske of Kentucky, and Steven Blesi of Marietta, were among at least 153 people who died in overcrowded streets in the South Korean capital.

Blesi was 20-years-old. His father told NBC News Blesi was studying international business and learning to speak Korean in the fall semester.

According to Kennesaw State, Blesi was one of 11 students from the university who were part of a study abroad program. School officials said they were "deeply saddened" to learn of his death.

"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 said on Twitter. "We have been in contact with Steven’s family and have offered all available resources of the University to them."

Counseling is being made available to Kennesaw State students who have been affected by the loss of Blesi, the university said.

State Rep. John Carson, R-Marietta, expressed his condolences to Blesi's family Monday afternoon with the following statement:

"My wife, Beverly and I extend our deepest condolences to Steve and Maria Blesi and their family. Their son, Steven, was a devoted member of the Eagle Scout, Northeast Cobb County and Kennesaw State University communities, and in his short time on this earth, he was truly a bright light to all of those around him. He will be dearly missed, always remembered and forever loved. This is a tragic loss for our community, and I want to encourage the students who knew Steven to utilize the counseling resources available to them at KSU. Our deepest condolences and continued prayers are with his family and friends."