At least nine killed in Seoul as car ploughs into crowd

In Seoul, South Korea, a tragic car accident occurred when a vehicle ploughed into a crowd, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people. The incident took place at approximately 9:30 PM local time. According to the police, a man in his 60s was driving the car that struck pedestrians who were waiting at a traffic stop. At least four additional individuals were injured and transported to the hospital. Authorities are currently investigating the incident and have cautioned that the number of casualties may rise. Local media reports indicate that the car was traveling in the wrong direction and collided with two other vehicles before hitting the pedestrians. The accident occurred at an intersection near Seoul city hall. The driver, who was apprehended at the scene, reportedly informed the police that the car suddenly accelerated. Six people were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others succumbed to their injuries later. The driver, who is 68 years old, was taken into custody. In South Korea, the speed limit is 50 km/h on urban roads and 30 km/h in residential areas. According to a recent report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), pedestrians accounted for 35% of all road deaths in South Korea in 2022, a notably high percentage compared to other OECD countries. However, the same report highlighted that road fatalities in the country have decreased in recent years.