Tragic Van Crash on Udo Island Leaves 3 Tourists Dead, 11 Injured
A devastating incident unfolded on Udo Island, a scenic islet off South Korea's Jeju Island, on November 24th. A van collision near the Cheonjin Port ferry terminal tragically resulted in three fatalities and 11 injuries, local authorities have confirmed.
Details of the Accident Near Cheonjin Port
The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters reported that the accident occurred around 2:47 PM local time. A van, driven by a man in his sixties, is said to have accelerated suddenly immediately after disembarking from a ferry. It then veered into a group of visitors just outside Cheonjin Port, ultimately coming to a halt after colliding with a road sign.
Tourist Casualties and Ongoing Investigation
All fourteen individuals involved in the crash were confirmed to be tourists. Among them, three tragically lost their lives: two male pedestrians, aged in their 70s and 80s, and a female passenger from the van, aged in her 60s. Despite being airlifted by rescue helicopter to a nearby hospital after being found in cardiac arrest, they did not survive.
Eight other victims were transported to various hospitals for urgent medical attention. Eyewitness accounts given to local media indicated that the van rapidly accelerated upon leaving the Jeju Island ferry, striking eight pedestrians before crashing into the road sign. Six occupants within the van also sustained injuries.
Rescue authorities' initial emergency call documented the event as a "sudden acceleration accident." Udo, known for its natural beauty, is located approximately 3 kilometers off Jeju Island’s eastern coast, with a population of about 1,680 as of March 2022. A comprehensive police investigation into the exact cause of this tragic accident is currently underway.