A horrific incident unfolded in central Seoul on Monday evening, as a car careened into a crowd of pedestrians waiting at a traffic light near City Hall.
The devastating crash claimed the lives of nine people and injured four others.
Emergency officials confirmed six fatalities at the scene and three more pronounced dead at nearby hospitals.
According to reports from Yonhap news agency, the driver, a 68-year-old man, was traveling in the wrong direction before colliding with two other vehicles.
He then tragically struck the pedestrians waiting to cross.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.
The driver is in police custody, and investigators are determining whether drugs, alcohol, or mechanical malfunction, such as accidental acceleration, played a role in the tragedy.
Seoul Mayor Oh-hoon visited the crash site and expressed his deep sorrow.
He emphasized the importance of swift medical attention for the injured and a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
This incident marks a rare occurrence in South Korea, a nation known for its well-maintained transportation infrastructure.
The accident has left the city in mourning, and the investigation is ongoing.
