(LEAD) 2 seriously hurt, another 11 injured after bus plows into pedestrians in Seoul

▲ This photo shows the aftermath of a bus crash in western Seoul on Jan. 16, 2026, after the vehicle drove off the road and veered into a pedestrian path. (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by a reader, shows the aftermath of a bus crash in western Seoul on Jan. 16, 2026, after the vehicle drove off the road and veered into a pedestrian path. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) bus-accident

(LEAD) 2 seriously hurt, another 11 injured after bus plows into pedestrians in Seoul

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with details; RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS photo)

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- A bus plowed into pedestrians after veering off a road in western Seoul on Friday, leaving two people seriously hurt and another 11 injured, rescue officials said.

The intracity bus drove off the road at an intersection near Seodaemun Station at 1:15 p.m. before ramming into the pedestrians and crashing into a building, according to the officials.

The two people seriously hurt include a pedestrian in her 50s who suffered a broken leg and another 30-something pedestrian who was bleeding from his head. They were moved to the hospital along with six others.

Police have not found signs of drunk driving but plan to test the 50-something bus driver, who was also injured, for drugs.

A witness at the scene said the bus was going straight forward before suddenly hitting a car, a motorcycle and people. The woman in her 50s said she heard a loud noise as if on a "battlefield" before fleeing the scene.

Authorities plan to investigate the exact cause of the accident. They are currently working to relocate the bus and have dispatched 271 personnel and 18 vehicles to secure the area.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved