(2nd LD) 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)

(2nd LD) bus-accident

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

(ATTN: ADDS details)

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.

The 50-something bus driver, who was among the injured, claimed the vehicle's brakes did not work, according to police.

They plan to investigate the driver on charges of causing injury and check for possible defects in the vehicle by sending it to the National Forensic Service.

Police did not find signs of the driver being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.

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 dispatched 271 personnel and 18 vehicles to secure the area.

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