Two individuals lost their lives, and a minimum of 18 others sustained injuries following a truck colliding with pedestrians at an open-air market.
The tragic incident occurred on November 13 in Bucheon city, part of the Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea, as confirmed by fire and police authorities.
The driver of the truck, a man in his 60s whose identity remains undisclosed, is being interrogated by the police. According to Son Byeong-sam, a police official in Bucheon, the driver was not found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Eyewitnesses noted that the truck seemed to be traveling at a high speed.
A photo taken after the crash depicts the vehicle positioned in front of market stalls while two men survey the scene. Debris is strewn about, and the truck’s windshield is shattered.
A fire official mentioned that the truck appeared to reverse for 28 meters before accelerating down a passageway and then plowing into the market for 150 meters before coming to a halt.
Reportedly, two individuals suffered cardiac arrests and succumbed to their injuries, while 18 others were hurt, as per the Yonhap News Agency.
The driver was eventually rescued from the trapped vehicle. The incident took place around 10:55 a.m. local time on Thursday. The driver asserted that the truck’s brakes had malfunctioned and was tested negative for alcohol intoxication.
A witness described the chaotic scene as “extremely frightening” when the truck crashed into the market, as reported by Japanese public broadcaster NHK. The witness added, “There was a loud booming sound. The vehicle was advancing rapidly, dragging people along. It was a sudden and terrifying moment.”
Bucheon, located approximately 16 miles west of Seoul, is the capital of South Korea. The country attracted around 3.4 million international tourists between January and March last year, according to the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
A market trader, Jin, age 43, recounted, “I was inside the store eating when I heard screams outside, followed by a loud noise as a car passed by and stopped with a crash.” Another market worker expressed that the noise of the truck crash was deafening, likening it to a building collapse.
Authorities are investigating the incident further to determine the exact sequence of events. The driver’s claims of vehicle malfunction are under scrutiny, with security camera footage being reviewed to ascertain the circumstances leading to the tragic collision.