A bus struck 32 vehicles in Seongnam, South Korea, on Wednesday morning, leaving 57 people injured, nine of them seriously, according to the Gyeonggi Province fire department.
The crash occurred during rush hour on a road in Seongnam, a city of nearly 900,000 people just south of Seoul. The bus collided with dozens of passenger cars, a truck and four other buses before hitting a median strip, where it came to a stop.
None of the injured were in life-threatening condition, authorities said. Yonhap News Agency had earlier reported 48 injured, with six in serious condition.
The bus driver, believed to be in his 60s, told investigators the brakes on his bus had failed, according to Yonhap. He tested negative in a breathalyzer test. South Korea's national public broadcaster KBS reported that the driver was also injured and hospitalised after being freed from the vehicle.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the collision. Dozens of fire personnel and vehicles were deployed, and an emergency medical station was set up at the scene.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The crash during rush hour highlights potential safety risks in public transit infrastructure.
- The high number of vehicles involved shows how a single vehicle failure can cause widespread disruption and injury.
- The investigation's findings could lead to stricter bus maintenance or brake safety standards.
Background
Seongnam is a large city in Gyeonggi Province, adjacent to Seoul. Bus accidents involving multiple vehicles are relatively rare in South Korea, which has a modern and generally well-regarded public transport system. Authorities routinely investigate such incidents to determine cause and liability.
Key Perspectives
Gyeonggi Province fire department: reported 57 people injured, with nine seriously hurt, and none in life-threatening condition.
The bus driver: told investigators the brakes on his bus had failed, according to Yonhap.
What to Watch
- Results of the official investigation into the bus's brake system and maintenance records.
- Any updates on the condition of the nine seriously injured people.
- Potential policy changes or safety reviews by Seongnam or Gyeonggi Province transit authorities.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA bus struck 32 vehicles near Seoul.DW English: “The fire department of Gyeonggi Province, were Seongnam is located, said 57 people were injured, with nine seriously hurt after the bus collided with 32 vehicles”
- SupportedThe crash injured 57 people.DW English: “said 57 people were injured”
- SupportedYonhap reported that the driver told investigators his bus’s brakes had failed.DW English: “The driver told investigators the brakes on his bus had failed, according to a report by the Yonhap.”
- SupportedNone of the injured were in life-threatening condition.DW English: “None of the injured were in life-threatening condition.”
- SupportedThe Gyeonggi Province fire department said nine people were seriously hurt.DW English: “The fire department of Gyeonggi Province, were Seongnam is located, said 57 people were injured, with nine seriously hurt”
- SupportedThe crash happened in Seongnam on Wednesday morning during rush hour.DW English: “A bus hit dozens of passenger cars, a truck, and four other buses in Seongnam, South Korea on Wednesday morning”
- SupportedSeongnam has nearly 900,000 people and is just south of Seoul.DW English: “The city of Seongnam, with its population of nearly 900,000, is located just south of the capital metropolis of Seoul.”
- SupportedThe bus hit passenger cars, a truck and four other buses, then struck a median strip and stopped there.DW English: “A bus hit dozens of passenger cars, a truck, and four other buses in Seongnam, South Korea on Wednesday morning”
- SupportedYonhap had earlier reported 48 injured, six seriously.DW English: “Yonhap News Agency had reported that 48 people were injured and six of them had serious injuries.”
- SupportedThe driver was believed to be in his 60s.DW English: “The man, believed to be in his 60s, tested negative in a breathalyzer test.”
- SupportedThe driver tested negative in a breathalyzer test.DW English: “The man, believed to be in his 60s, tested negative in a breathalyzer test.”
- SupportedKBS reported that the driver was injured and hospitalised after being freed from the vehicle.DW English: “The bus driver was also injured and hospitalised after being freed from the vehicle, South Korea's national public broadcaster KBS reported.”