A light truck ploughed through a bustling market in Bucheon, west of Seoul, on Thursday, killing two people and injuring 18 others, local authorities said.
The vehicle reportedly travelled about 150 metres (164 yards) through a narrow passageway lined with stalls before coming to a stop. Emergency responders confirmed that two victims who suffered cardiac arrest were later pronounced dead, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The incident occurred at around midday in the Bucheon outdoor market, located about 20 km (12 miles) from the South Korean capital.
Authorities said the truck had first reversed about 28 metres before accelerating suddenly into the crowded market. The driver, a man in his 60s, told investigators that the crash was caused by a “sudden surge in acceleration.”
Police confirmed that no alcohol was detected in the driver’s system at the time of the crash. The vehicle has been seized for a mechanical inspection to determine whether a malfunction may have caused the accident.
CCTV footage broadcast on Korean television showed scenes of ordinary shoppers moments before the blue truck suddenly sped down the market aisle, smashing into stalls and sending pedestrians scrambling.
The driver has been arrested and is under police questioning as investigators work to determine whether human error or technical failure was to blame.
