Emergency crews were dispatched immediately after reports that a vehicle had traveled roughly 150 meters through a narrow passageway lined with market stalls. Two victims went into cardiac arrest and were later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, GB News reports.
Authorities said he was tested for alcohol at the scene and showed no signs of intoxication. Investigators are examining the truck to determine whether a mechanical issue or another factor caused the incident, though officials said details remain incomplete for now.
CCTV footage aired on Korean broadcasters showed a blue truck hitting a storefront as pedestrians moved through the market. Photos taken afterward showed the vehicle with a smashed windshield and significant front-end damage, with merchandise and debris scattered across the walkway.
Several witnesses described hearing a sudden impact. One vendor, identified as Jin, 43, told local media he heard “screams” followed by a “loud noise” as the truck passed his shop. Another person said the sound was “so loud that it felt like the building was collapsing.”
Bucheon sits about 20 kilometers west of Seoul. The market is a regular commercial hub for residents and tourists, and officials noted the area was crowded at the time of the crash.
Tourism to South Korea has been rising since pandemic restrictions were lifted, with government data showing more than three million international visitors in the first quarter of last year. The March 2024 figures were also the highest month recorded since Covid
