SEOUL: At least nine people were killed and four others were wounded when a car struck pedestrians near Seoul city hall in Seoul, South Korea on Monday, police said.
Firefighter Kim Chun-soo confirmed six fatalities at the scene, with three more pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.
Reports from South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said that a 68-year-old driver, traveling in the wrong direction, collided with individuals waiting at a traffic signal. The driver reportedly hit two other vehicles before crashing into pedestrians.
Police detained a man in connection with the incident, as stated by Kim Suk-hwan, safety and transport director at the Jung-gu district office in Seoul. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether drugs, alcohol, or accidental acceleration contributed to the deadly collision.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed sadness over the “very tragic accident” during his visit to the crash site, where he instructed officials to swiftly transport victims to the hospital and thoroughly investigate the accident’s cause.
Fatal transportation accidents resulting in multiple casualties are uncommon in South Korea, known for its well-maintained roads and vehicles.
