At least 9 killed after car slams into sidewalk near Seoul City Hall

Social Affairs

Published: 01 Jul. 2024, 22:36 Updated: 01 Jul. 2024, 23:31

At least 9 killed after car slams into sidewalk near Seoul City Hall

First responders are clearing the scene of a fatal car accident near Seoul City Hall in downtown Seoul late Monday. [NEWS1]

At least nine people were killed and several others injured in an accident after a car crashed onto a sidewalk near Seoul City Hall.

At around 9:30 p.m. Monday night, a vehicle accelerated toward a sidewalk at an intersection near City Hall Station in Jung District, central Seoul, according to police.

Ten people were immediately reported to be in a state of cardiac arrest as a result of injuries suffered in the accident.

Police arrested a male driver in his 70s at the scene of the accident.

The Seoul Traffic Information Center announced at around 10:05 p.m. that the area surrounding Sungnyemun and City Hall Station has been completely blocked in both directions, advising drivers to take a detour.

Police said that more casualties are likely.

President Yoon Suk Yeol received a report of the car crash near Seoul City Hall and ordered the interior minister and fire authorities to “do everything within their power to rescue and treat the victims,” the presidential office said in a statement.

An image of the site of a car accident near an intersection near City Hall Station in Jung District, central Seoul on Monday evening provided by the Seoul Transport Operation & Information Service. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Update, July 1: Official death toll increased from six to nine; added remarks from President Yoon.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]