Two individuals have lost their lives, and a minimum of 18 others have sustained injuries following a truck colliding with pedestrians at an open-air market. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, November 13, in Bucheon city, part of the Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea, as confirmed by fire and police authorities.
Law enforcement officials are interrogating the unidentified truck driver, a man in his 60s, who, according to Bucheon police official Son Byeong-sam, was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An eyewitness described the truck as moving at a high speed.
Pictures from the crash aftermath depict the truck positioned in front of market stalls while two men examine the scene. Debris is strewn about, and the truck’s windshield is shattered.
A fire department official stated that the truck seemed to reverse for 28 meters before accelerating down a passage. Subsequently, it plowed 150 meters into the market before coming to a halt. Regrettably, two individuals succumbed to cardiac arrest, with 18 others suffering injuries, as reported by the Yonhap News Agency.
The driver, who was trapped in the vehicle, was rescued. The incident transpired around 10:55 am local time on Thursday. The driver claimed that the truck’s brakes had malfunctioned and was found to be sober when tested for alcohol.
A witness recounted the event as “extremely frightening” when the truck crashed through the market, as detailed by Japanese public broadcaster NHK. The witness described the scene as chaotic, with the vehicle rapidly advancing and causing panic.
Bucheon, situated approximately 16 miles west of Seoul, is a city in South Korea’s capital region. According to the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, around 3.4 million international tourists visited the country between January and March last year.
One vendor, Jin, age 43, shared his experience, mentioning he heard screams and a loud noise as a vehicle passed by and crashed while he was inside his store. Another market worker described the sound of the truck crashing as similar to a building collapsing.
Authorities in Bucheon, near Seoul, are questioning the truck driver, a man in his 60s, who was found to be clear of alcohol or drugs, as stated by police official Son Byeong-sam.
Two victims were declared deceased at a medical facility, with 11 of the 18 injured sustaining severe injuries. Officials have not disclosed whether any injuries are life-threatening.
Park Geum-cheon, a fire station official in Bucheon, mentioned that witnesses reported the vehicle reversing about 28 meters before traveling forward 150 meters and striking pedestrians en route. The driver alleged mechanical issues with his vehicle, and security camera footage is being reviewed by authorities.
