A serious traffic accident occurred in Yeomchang-dong, Seoul, where a village bus collided with five vehicles, injuring a total of 26 people, including two pregnant women. The accident took place on October 10 at around 5:38 PM, when the bus unexpectedly took off after dropping off passengers and crashed into parked vehicles, including a taxi, in the opposite lane before coming to a stop after hitting a guardrail. Emergency services responded promptly, and six individuals, including the taxi driver, were sent to the hospital for treatment.

Authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident, focusing on the 60-year-old male bus driver's potential alcohol and drug use. The police plan to review footage from both the bus's black box and nearby CCTV cameras to determine the exact cause of the accident. The investigation will also look into the circumstances leading to the driver’s decision to accelerate after passenger disembarkation, which has raised serious concerns about driver safety and public transport operations in the area.

This incident has sparked outrage among local residents and raised questions about safety regulations concerning public transportation in Seoul. With the increasing number of such accidents, community members are advocating for stricter regulations and oversight to ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians alike, especially in areas with high foot traffic like Yeomchang-dong.