Fatal accident - Car crashes in Seoul, killing nine people
A driver hit numerous pedestrians with his vehicle and killed at least nine of them in the million-population metropolis of Seoul, South Korea, according to South Korean broadcasters and the national news agency Yonhap, citing the police. Four more people were reportedly injured, three of them critically. The driver, who was an older man, was arrested.
The accident occurred near the city hall in the city center. According to Yonhap, many people were standing at a crosswalk when the driver drove into the crowd. In television footage, a part of a metal street barrier could be seen being knocked down near the scene of the accident.
The police, according to Yonhap, suspect that the driver, who is believed to have caused the accident, was driving the wrong way on the street. Before his car hit the pedestrians, he collided with two other vehicles. He reportedly stated that his car suddenly accelerated. The accident sequence is being further investigated, it was reported.
- The fatal accident in Seoul's metropolitan area has shocked the nation, resulting in the death of at least nine individuals and the injury of several more.
- The police are now examining the cause of the fatal accident, considering the possibility of the driver being under the influence or experiencing a medical emergency.
- South Korea's traffic laws are strict, and violations leading to accidents like this one often result in severe penalties, including death sentencing in some cases of negligence-induced fatalities.
- The Yonhap News Agency reported that the incident has sparked a public outcry, with many calling for stricter traffic safety measures in the bustling city of Seoul.
- The area of the fatal accident witnessed a heavy police presence as investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.
- The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety, prompting vigils and public discussions in the South Korean capital and beyond.
