A capital-bound intercity bus collided with a passenger car inside a tunnel in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, after the vehicle ahead abruptly braked. The incident occurred on April 1, injuring the bus driver and all 24 passengers.
Sequence of Events
Officials report the accident took place around 7:40 a.m. on a major road in Eumseong-gun. The 45-seater express bus, carrying 24 passengers, was traveling toward the Seoul metropolitan area. A vehicle about four cars ahead suddenly applied its brakes on the four-lane divided highway, prompting a chain reaction.
The bus, trailing roughly 3 meters behind the car directly in front, could not stop in time. It struck the rear of the sedan, then slammed into the center divider. The vehicle veered across the opposite lane before crashing into a guardrail. Dashcam footage circulating online captures the loud impact and the bus rolling onto its side without fully overturning.
Injuries and Passengers
All occupants sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. The driver, a man in his 20s, suffered severe trauma and was rushed to a hospital. Among the passengers, primarily middle-aged individuals, two in their 40s were identified as university hospital interns experiencing respiratory distress, chest pain, and lingering COVID-19 aftereffects.
Emergency services responded promptly, transporting everyone for medical evaluation. No fatalities were reported.
Investigation and Safety Measures
Local authorities confirm an ongoing probe into the crash’s cause. Eumseong-gun plans to reinforce safety features on the affected road, including guardrails and other preventive installations, treating it as a high-traffic route.
The footage has sparked discussions on road safety, particularly sudden braking in tunnels. Drivers are urged to maintain safe distances and exercise caution in low-visibility areas.
