In a shocking incident in western Seoul, a city bus veered off the road and plowed into a crowd of pedestrians on Friday afternoon, leaving two people in critical condition and 11 others injured. Rescue officials confirmed the details as emergency teams rushed to the scene near Seodaemun Station.
The accident unfolded around 1:15 PM at a busy intersection. Witnesses described the intracity bus suddenly losing control, smashing into a car, a motorcycle, and several pedestrians before crashing into a building. Chaos erupted immediately, with screams filling the air as bystanders fled in panic.
Among the severely injured is a 50-year-old woman who suffered a leg fracture, and a man in his 30s with a severe head injury causing heavy bleeding. Eight victims, including these two, were hospitalized for urgent treatment. The 50-year-old bus driver also sustained injuries, and authorities plan to conduct a drug test on him.
No evidence of drunk driving has surfaced yet, but police are investigating the exact cause. An eyewitness recounted the bus traveling straight before abruptly swerving into the crowd. The injured woman likened the noise to a battlefield, saying she ran for her life upon hearing the crash.
Rescue operations mobilized 271 personnel and 18 vehicles to secure the area and remove the bus. Investigations are underway to determine if road conditions or mechanical failure played a role.
This tragedy comes just days after a deadly spate of accidents on January 10 in North Gyeongsang Province. Black ice on a highway led to multiple crashes, claiming five lives and injuring several others. A truck plunged off the road after hitting a guardrail, killing the driver. A sedan collided in a related incident, killing all four occupants. Another SUV burst into flames after slamming into a truck.
By 11 AM, five fatalities were confirmed, with over 20 vehicles possibly involved. Highways were temporarily closed as police probe the icy conditions blamed for the pile-ups. South Korea’s roads remain treacherous amid winter weather, underscoring the need for heightened caution.