Police Seek Detention of Truck Driver After Crash Kills Two in South Korea

South Korean police are seeking to detain a truck driver who ploughed into a traditional market, killing two people and injuring 19 others, authorities said on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, when a man in his sixties drove a one-ton cargo truck into shoppers and market stalls.

Police have requested a detailed analysis of the vehicle’s event data recorder by traffic and forensic experts to help determine the cause of the crash.

“We have applied for an arrest warrant for the suspect on charges of causing death and injury under the Act on Special Cases of Traffic Accidents,” a local police official said. The suspect was questioned for about two and a half hours, the official added, noting that the warrant request reflects “the seriousness of the offence.”

According to a police report, the truck reversed before suddenly accelerating forward for about 130 metres (approximately 425 feet) through narrow market lanes. Most of the injured victims were between 50 and 70 years old, the National Fire Agency confirmed.

Local media reported that the driver claimed to suffer from moyamoya disease, a rare blood vessel disorder for which he takes prescribed medication. However, he insisted the condition “has nothing to do with driving and does not affect my ability to drive.”

Mass-casualty road accidents are uncommon in South Korea, a country known for its well-maintained roads and strict vehicle safety standards.