SEOUL- At least nine people were killed and four others injured when a sedan crashed into pedestrians in downtown Seoul on Monday night, creating chaos in the typically crowded metropolitan street, reported Yonhap, quoting the police.
According to the police, the accident took place at an intersection near Seoul City Hall at around 9.27 pm, as the vehicle, driven by a 68-year-old man, plowed into pedestrians who were waiting at a traffic signal. The driver is said to have blamed a sudden unintended acceleration for the accident.
Of the nine fatalities, six died at the scene, while three were transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest and later pronounced dead. Among the four injured, one returned home after treatment, while the others are not in critical condition.
Police reported that the vehicle was travelling in the wrong direction and collided with two vehicles before hitting pedestrians. The driver has been apprehended by the police.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was briefed on the accident, has ordered Interior Minister Lee Sang-min and other aides to make “all-out” efforts to save and treat the victims.
Lee also issued an emergency order to mobilise all available resources to save the lives of those affected by the accident.
Meanwhile, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon rushed to scene of the accident.
“It is a sad accident,” he said, calling on his staff to promptly take victims to the hospital and thoroughly investigate the case.
Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the accident.
The driver of the sedan and his wife were transported to a hospital as he complained of pain. He claimed that his car suddenly accelerated. It has yet to be determined whether he was under the influence of any drugs or if drowsy driving was a factor in the accident.
“As the driver was also hurt, we have yet to proceed with our investigation,” a police official said.
“We will conduct an inquiry when he becomes available to speak.
“With regards to the cause of the accident, we will swiftly carry out our investigation based on the driver’s statements, closed-circuit television and security camera analysis,” he added.
The accident has sparked questions about whether measures should be considered to help ensure safe driving among senior citizens.
— BERNAMA-YONHAP
