A vehicle in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, hit pedestrians waiting at a red light: 9 people died, 4 people were injured.

In Seoul, the capital of South Korea, at least nine people were killed and four others were injured when a car hit pedestrians. The accident occurred at a busy intersection near the Seoul City Hall at 9:27 PM local time. According to Yonhap news agency, a man believed to be 68 years old hit pedestrians waiting at a traffic light.

DRIVER ARRESTED

Police stated that the unnamed driver has been arrested and will be investigated for causing death by accident. The driver claimed that the car suddenly and involuntarily accelerated. It was announced that the car will be sent to the forensic institution. Six out of the nine deceased individuals died at the scene, while the other three died at the hospital.

In the footage taken at the scene of the accident, a heavily damaged black sedan car being towed and the barriers on the side of the road being destroyed can be seen. Seoul police stated that the man was driving in the wrong direction and collided with two cars before fatally hitting pedestrians. According to preliminary investigations, the accident occurred due to involuntary acceleration and it was determined that the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or any other substance.

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed the Ministry of Interior to make every effort for the treatment of the victims. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon described the incident as a "tragic event" and initiated an investigation. Oh, who arrived at the scene, gave directives to prevent further losses and prepared measures for the affected families. He instructed to "quickly take the victims to the hospital and thoroughly determine the cause of the accident."

According to local sources, the driver was a bus driver from the city of Ansan in the south of Seoul and had approximately 40 years of driving experience.

This incident occurred one week after a fire broke out at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, a large industrial area 90 minutes southwest of Seoul, resulting in the death of 23 people and injuries to many others.